Search

In this research, a new method of treating wastewater is introduced using a highly recyclable and sustainable material derived from coconut oil. This material aims to address the issues commonly faced by conventional sorbents, such as limited performance and costly production. These challenges impede a sorbent material from unlocking its full utility in treating wastewater. An exceptional sorbent material was synthesized by incorporating coconut shell-based activated carbon (AC) into a coconut oil-based polyurethane matrix to produce an activated carbon-infused polyurethane (ACIP). The effective adsorption was elucidated by the synergistic interaction between the ACIP material and methylene blue (MB) through electrostatic attraction, π-π interactions, and hydrogen bonding. To provide an exhaustive analysis of the ACIP material, several analytical techniques were employed, including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). A detailed assessment using a fixed-bed column setup investigated its adsorption behavior by encompassing various factors such as inlet concentration, adsorbent bed height, feed flow rate, and solution pH. Results revealed that the ACIP composite exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity of 28.25 mg g−1. Empirical evidence with a high correlation coefficient (R2 > 0.93) obtained from the Thomas and Yoon–Nelson model suggests the suitability of the composite material to operate efficiently under these diverse circumstances. Notably, after five consecutive adsorption–desorption cycles, ACIP demonstrated its remarkable reusability by maintaining 86% of its regeneration efficiency. Given its outstanding performance and potential for scalability, this innovative ACIP composite presents a more sustainable approach to addressing wastewater issues within industrial environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) contribute significantly to global plastic waste, with only 9% recycled in recent years. In this work, these plastic wastes were upcycled as functional fillers to improve the rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) properties. To attain this target, we leveraged the intrinsic polarity of the C=O and C-Cl groups of PVC and PET to induce intermolecular attractions with the N-H groups of the polyurethane matrix, evidenced by the observed IR peak shifts. This enhanced the nucleating effect during foaming, increasing the foams' compressive strengths by 77% and 22% with the addition of 10% PVC and 5% PET filler, respectively. Furthermore, the addition of PVC and PET fillers increased the foam volume. Thus, the collective utilization of PPW and its corresponding impact on the CO-based RPUF's properties signifies a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 14.15% and 17.52% for PVC and PET, respectively. Moreover, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed improved thermal stability and degradation profiles of the produced RPUFs. Overall, this work highlights potential advancement in environmentally responsible upcycling strategies for common end-of-life plastic wastes, while enhancing rigid foam properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pursuit of sustainable polyurethane (PU) product development necessitates a profound understanding of precursor materials. Particularly, polyol plays a crucial role, since PU properties are heavily influenced by the type of polyol employed during production. While traditional PUs are solely derived from hydroxyl functionalized polyols, the emergence of amine-hydroxyl hybrid polyols has garnered significant attention due to their potential for enhancing PU product properties. These hybrid polyols are characterized by the presence of both amine and hydroxyl functional groups. However, characterizing these polyols remains a daunting challenge due to the lack of established experimental testing standards for properties, such as fractional hydroxyl and amine moieties and thermo-kinetic parameters for amine reactions with isocyanates. Additionally, characterization methods demand extensive time and resources and pose risks to health and the environment. To bridge these gaps, this study employed computational simulation via MATLAB to determine the moieties' fractions and thermo-kinetic parameters for hybrid polyols. The computational method integrated energy balance and reaction kinetics analysis for various polyols to elucidate the influence of functional moieties on the thermo-kinetic behavior of PU formations. Validation of the simulated results was conducted by comparing their experimental and simulated prepolymer and foam temperature profiles, highlighting the direct influence of fractional moieties on PU formations. The comparisons revealed an average relative error of less than 5%, indicating the accuracy and credibility of the simulation. Thus, this study represents a pivotal opportunity for advancing knowledge and driving sustainable developments in bio-based polyol characterization for PU production streamlining and formulation optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion, a global problem, degrades land quality and increases pollution and sedimentation in bodies of water. This study propounds a new material to mitigate soil erosion using rice straw-based polyurethane foam (RSPF) blocks as a potential replacement for commercially available expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam in slope stabilization. RSPF was synthesized via a conventional one-shot foaming method with 15% rice straw-based polyol content. The RSPF blocks have an average density of 43.29 kg/m3, average compressive strength of 184.55 kPa, closed cell content of 88.4%, and water absorption capacity of 262% that can effectively reduce water runoff. These properties are comparable to EPS foams according to ASTM D6817, except for the high absorption capacity of RSPF. This added feature allows the foam to act as topsoil protection by reducing runoff. In slope stabilization and topsoil protection applications, the effectiveness of the RSPF blocks in reducing soil loss was tested in both simulated and natural rainfall events with different land slope degrees, rain intensities, and soil covers. Results show that the use of RSPF in the simulated setup with a heavy rain intensity of 80 mm/h reduced the soil loss by 61.5%, 22.7%, and 4.3% in 5°, 10°, and 20° of land slope, respectively. There was also a higher degree of soil loss reduction when the RSPF block was coupled with a natural vegetation soil cover by 79.6%, 70%, and 19.3% in 5°, 10°, and 20° land slopes, respectively. Moreover, in the natural rainfall events in an open field with a land slope of 20°, the recorded soil loss reduction reached 93.6–98.8% at an average rainfall intensity of 16.26 mm/h. Additionally, the relationship between soil loss and land slope was investigated to produce a best fit model that predicts the soil loss up to a 20° land slope. An interesting observation was made wherein the erosion rate increased using linear regression modeling in the simulated setup for bare soil (BS), soil with vegetation (SV), soil with RSPF (SF), and soil with RSPF and vegetation (FV), with high coefficient of determination (R2) values between 0.92 and 0.99. These findings suggest that the RSPF block is a promising alternative and sustainable material for EPS foams in mitigating soil erosion, especially under heavy rainfall conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a novel polyurethane-activated carbon composite (PACC) as an effective and sustainable adsorbent for treating lead-ion-contaminated waters. The PACC was characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) surface area analyzer, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) to evaluate its physicochemical and thermal properties. Furthermore, the PACC was employed in an experimental column adsorption setup to investigate its adsorption performance and to develop a dynamic method suitable for industrial implementation. Parameters such as bed height (50, 100, 150 mm), flow rate (4, 6, 8 mL min−1), pH (2, 4, 6), and initial metal-ion concentrations (10, 50, 100 mg L−1) were examined. The experimental data exhibited strong agreement with the Thomas and Yoon–Nelson models (R2 ≥ 0.96), indicating efficient adsorption mechanisms. Remarkably, the used adsorbent has the potential for facile regeneration without substantial loss in capacity. The PACC demonstrated excellent adsorption performance for lead ions in aqueous solutions in a fixed-bed column system. Thus, the novel PACC material holds the potential for scalable application in industrial settings to address water pollution challenges, especially in regions with uncontrolled effluent discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study propounds a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based polyurethane (PU) foams, aiming to curtail this nonrenewable resource's continued and uncontrolled use. Coconut fatty acid distillate (CFAD) and crude glycerol (CG), both wastes generated from vegetable oil processes, were utilized for bio-based polyol production for rigid PU foam application. The raw materials were subjected to catalyzed glycerolysis with alkaline-alcohol neutralization and bleaching. The resulting polyol possessed properties suitable for rigid foam application, with an average OH number of 215 mg KOH/g, an acid number of 7.2983 mg KOH/g, and a Gardner color value of 18. The polyol was used to prepare rigid PU foam, and its properties were determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis/derivative thermogravimetric (TGA/DTA), and universal testing machine (UTM). Additionally, the cell foam morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), in which most of its structure revealed an open-celled network and quantified at 92.71% open-cell content using pycnometric testing. The PU foam thermal and mechanical analyses results showed an average compressive strength of 210.43 kPa, a thermal conductivity of 32.10 mW·m−1K−1, and a density of 44.65 kg·m−3. These properties showed its applicability as a type I structural sandwich panel core material, thus demonstrating the potential use of CFAD and CG in commercial polyol and PU foam production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bio-derived polyol products have gained global interest as a green and sustainable substitute for fossil-based polyols in a diverse range of polyurethane (PU) applications. According to previous studies, PU properties are highly influenced by the reaction kinetics during their formation. One major factor affecting this is the reactivity of their polyol's functional hydroxyl moieties that are classified as primary, secondary, and hindered-secondary. However, experimental quantitative characterization of these polyol hydroxyl moieties remains a challenge in the field due to various factors affecting them, including extensive time requirements, the need for substantial and expensive resources, large potential errors, and the generation of wastes, as well as health and safety considerations. In this study, the molar fraction of primary, secondary, and hindered-secondary hydroxyl moieties of a petroleum-based polyol (V490) and a rice straw-based polyol were determined via an iterative computational method. The method employed a MATLAB script that can simultaneously solve multiple differential equations involving PU gelling reaction kinetics and thermodynamics. In this manner, numerical combinations of the fraction of each type of hydroxyl moiety are generated by looping together the respective numerical fractions for each moiety. The best-fit combinations of the fractions of the mixed polyol's hydroxyl moieties were successfully found via curve fitting of the simulated and experimental gelling temperature profile with an average numerical deviation of less than 1%. Thus, the method presented in this study offers a faster and more reliable characterization of the polymeric reaction kinetics than the experimental and conventional computational methods for product property enhancement and development in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple combinations of CeO2-Dolomite as fillers and Intumescent Flame Retardant (IFR) ingredients were used to optimize the intumescent coatings designed for I-beam steel substrates. The influenced of fillers and various combinations of flame-retardants on the fire protective performance of the coatings were evaluated using vertical Bunsen burner fire test and various characterization techniques. Formula C and Formula F having 1:1 and 2:2 CeO2-Dolomite ratio, obtained the lowest substrate temperature around 150oC and 150.4oC, respectively after 90 minutes fire exposure. Also, the morphological structures of intumescent char observed by SEM-EDX, demonstrated that Formula C and Formula F stimulated the formation of homogeneous and more compacted surface structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) provide the binding energies of C and O constituents, it was observed that [-(C2H4)n-] was the most important free radical as it could promote the formation of aromatic carbon chain in the char surface. Finally, the findings of this study revealed that the selection of appropriate fillers and combinations of flame-retardant ingredients significantly influenced the morphological structure of the char layer, of which, Formula C and Formula F produced a char with higher thermal stability, resulting to a more fire resistive IFR coating during fire exposure.

Conventionally, designing rigid polyurethane foams (RPUFs) with improved physico-mechanical properties from new, bio-based polyols is performed by modifying foam formulations via experimentation. However, experimental endeavors are very resource-dependent, costly, cumbersome, time-intensive, waste-producing, and present higher health risks. In this study, an RPUF formulation utilizing a coconut-oil (CO)-based polyol with improved physico-mechanical properties was approximated through a computational alternative in the lens of the gel time of the RPUF formation. In the RPUF formation of most bio-based polyols, their very fast gel times negatively impact foam robustness. The computational alternative functioned by finding a CO-based RPUF formulation with a gel time in good agreement with a formulation based on commercial petroleum-derived polyol (control). The CO-based RPUF formulation with the best-fit catalyst loading was approximated by simulating temperature profiles using a range of formulations with modified catalyst loadings iteratively. The computational approach in designing RPUF with improved properties was found to effectively negate foam collapse (with a shrinkage decrease of >60%) and enhance foam strength (with a compressive strength increase of >300%). This study presents an economically and environmentally sustainable approach to designing RPUFs by enabling minimized utilization of material sources for experimentation and analysis and minimized dependence on waste-producing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A MATLAB program was developed to simulate urethane-forming reactions by solving over a dozen differential equations, energy balance, mass balance, and constitutive equations simultaneously. The simulation program was developed for half a decade to simulate the basic kinetics of polyurethane reactions and more complex phenomena that cannot be obtained in laboratories. In the current investigation, the simulation is applied to determine the limits of the performance of polyurethane foam formation. n-pentane, cyclohexane, and methyl formate were used as physical blowing agents, and water was used as a chemical blowing agent. The simulation code increases the accuracy of the results and makes the foam performance process less time- and money-consuming. Specifically, the MATLAB code was developed to study the impact of physical and chemical blowing agents at different loadings on the performance of rigid polyurethane foams. Experimental data were used to validate the simulation results, including temperature profiles, height profiles, and the tack-free time of urethane foam reactions. The simulation results provide a window for the proper type and the optimum amount range of different physical and chemical blowing agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current work presents a novel microfluidic approach, allowing a full separation of blood cells. The approach relies on using a polydimethylsiloxane serpentine microchannel equipped with a series of electrodes, providing two separation zones. The proposed design exploits the unique configuration of the channel along with the inherent difference in dielectric properties of the three kinds of blood cells to achieve a size-based sorting. The platelets (PLTs) are subjected to a larger dielectrophoretic force than red blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs), forcing them to be separated in the first zone. This leaves RBCs and WBCs to be separated in the second zone. The model developed in this work has been used intensively to examine the feasibility of the proposed approach. The model results showed a full separation of blood content can be achieved over a range of phase flow rates and AC frequencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, a computational model to simulate the separation of the multi-stage device is developed and used to verify an arbitrary-shaped adsorption isotherm and a limited mass transfer rate. The model's governing equations are solved numerically by the MATLAB computing platform. For a specific separation, a suitable design must take into account the concentration record of the effluent solutions in the separation device. Further, since the experimental investigation has many limitations, an accurate mathematical description of a system could be viewed as an alternative approach to understanding it comprehensively. The usefulness of the simulation code depends heavily on how well it matches the experimental results and predicts them with minor adjustments and improvements. Here, the model is validated and used to investigate how changing the system's parameters can affect its performance. The study found that increasing the size of the system (unit number and pore volume of the adsorbent) resulted in more solutions. Adsorption effectiveness was also investigated and it was found to be relatively unaffected by dividing the total amount of solution adsorption over many units, as long as slurrying was maintained at an adequate level. The model not only provides the prediction of the discharge concentration record but also the evaluation of the separation effectiveness attained by the multistage device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A phosphate ester-forming reaction was carried out by mixing epoxidized soybean oil with up to 1.5% o-phosphoric acid. In situ oligomerization took effect almost instantly producing a clear, homogeneous, highly viscous, and a low-acid product with a high average functionality. The resulting epoxide was used as a reactant for urethane bioelastomer synthesis and evaluated for rigid foam formulation. Results have shown that with a number of catalysts tested phosphoric acid significantly enhances a solvent-free oxirane ring cleavage and polymerization of the epoxidized soybean oil via phosphate-ester formation at room temperature. The resulting phosphoric acid-catalyzed epoxide-based bioelastomer showed an 80% decrease in extractable content and increased tensile strength at the same isocyanate loading relative to the noncatalyzed epoxide. The oligomerized epoxidized soybean oil materials exhibited ASTM hydroxyl values 40% less than the nonoligomerized starting material which translates to reduced isocyanate loadings in urethane applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article shows how the polymerization of soybean oil is an effective method of increasing the molecular weight of soy-based polyols used in many critical urethane applications. it describes how the polyols can be synthesized when polymerization is done by adding alcohol and reducing acid content. It says that the approach could prove to be the least expensive means of increasing the hydroxyl equivalent weights of soy-based polyols.

The article describes a noncatalytic polymerization of epoxidized bodied soybean oil (EBSO) and ethylene glycol (EG) to see whether modified epoxidized soy-based vegetable oil polyol can serve as a replacement for petroleum-based polyetherpolyol in rigid polyurethane (PU) foam applications. It also aimed to reduce the isocyanate loading in the foam formulation. It explains why a higher average functionionality polyol is the key component in reducing the isocyanate in polyurethane synthesis.

The article discusses a study on the functionalization of polymerized soybean oil (SBO) via transesterification with glycerol. It says that SBO was synthesized by heat polymerization or bodying while transesterification with glycerol at 200°C result to polyol prepolymers. Meanwhile, foaming procedure and extractability analysis were also performed. Results show that soy-based polyol exhibited good physicochemical properties that suggest equivalence with petroleum-based polyether polyol.

Carbon-based electrode materials have been widely used for many years for electrochemical charge storage, energy generation, and catalysis. We have developed an electrode material with high specific capacitance by entrapping graphite nanoparticles in a sol-gel network. Films from the resulting colloidal suspensions were porous due to the removal of the entrapped organic solvents from the sol-gel matrix giving rise to high Brunauer-Emmett-Teller specific surface areas (364 m2ig) and a high capacitance density (-~37 Fig). An exponential decrease of capacitance was observed with increasing scan rates in cyclic voltammetry studies on these films, suggesting the presence of pores ranging from micro- (<2 nm) to mesopores. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis and scanning electron .microscope images of these films also confirmed the presence of the micropores as well as mesopores. A steep drop in the double-layer capacitance with polar electrolytes was observed when the films were rendered hydrophilic upon exposure to mild oxygen plasma. We propose a model whereby the microporous hydrophobic sol-gel matrix pcrturbs the hydration of ions which moves ions closer to the graphite nanoparticles, consequently increasing the capacitance of the film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing focus on sustainable construction is driving the industry toward materials that combine functionality with environmental benefits. A viable approach to address this demand is the use of bio-based additives to improve traditional cementitious composites. This study introduces a novel approach to developing a polymer-modified construction material by incorporating varied amounts (0, 1, 2, 3, and 6%) of bio-based polyurethane (PU), derived from polyglycerol polyester polyol, into cementitious mortar. The resulting PU-modified cementitious mortar (PUMC) was evaluated for its mechanical, physicochemical, and microstructural properties. Results show that the incorporation of 2% PU by cement weight significantly enhanced compressive strength by 58.2%, flexural strength by 37.0%, and initial flow performance by 20.0% after 28 days, while a 6% PU incorporation provided the best abrasion resistance. These improvements were attributed to a uniform particle and pore size distribution and the formation of a uniform interpenetrating polymer network (IPN), as confirmed by BET-BJH and SEM-EDX analyses. Additionally, FTIR and TGA analyses revealed that the metal-ligand coordination between Ca 2+ ions in the cement mortar and PU ligand groups strengthened the interfacial connectivity through noncovalent bonding, further enhancing the material properties. This research highlights the potential of bio-based PU as an eco-friendly additive that significantly improves the performance of cementitious mortars, making it a promising option for industrial flooring applications., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Semiconducting nanoparticles (SNPs) have garnered significant attention for their role in photocatalysis technology, offering a cost-effective and highly efficient method for breaking down organic dyes. Of particular significance within SNP-based photocatalysis are tunable band gap TiO 2 nanoparticles (NPs), which demonstrate remarkable enhancement in photocatalytic efficiency. In the present work, we introduce an approach for the synthesis of TiO 2 NPs using kappa-carrageenan (κ-carrageenan), not just as a reducing and stabilizing agent but as a dopant for the resulting TiO 2 NPs. During the synthesis of TiO 2 NPs in the presence of sulfate-rich carrageenan, the process predominantly leaves residual sulfur and carbon. The presence of residual carbon, in conjunction with sulfur doping, as indicated by fast FTIR spectra, XPS, and EDX, leads to a significant reduction in the band gap of the resulting composite to 2.71 eV. The reduction of composite band gap yields remarkable degradation of methylene blue (99.97%) and methyl orange (97.84%). This work presents an eco-friendly and highly effective solution for the swift removal of environmentally harmful organic dyes., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

To attain efficient removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr 6+ ) from aqueous solutions, a novel polyurethane foam-activated carbon (PUAC) adsorbent composite was developed. The composite material was synthesized by the binding of coconut shell-based activated carbon (AC) onto a coconut oil-based polyurethane matrix. To thoroughly characterize the physicochemical properties of the newly developed material, various analytical techniques including FTIR spectroscopy, SEM, XRD, BET, and TGA analyses were conducted. The removal efficiency of the PUAC composite in removing Cr 6+ ions from aqueous solutions was evaluated through column experiments with the highest adsorption capacity of 28.41 mg g -1 while taking into account variables such as bed height, flow rate, initial Cr 6+ ion concentration, and pH. Experimental data were fitted using Thomas, Yoon-Nelson, and Adams-Bohart models to predict the column profiles and the results demonstrate high breakthrough and exhaustion time dependence on these variables. Among the obtained R values of the models, a better fit was observed using the Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models, indicating their ability to effectively predict the adsorption of Cr 2 ions in a fixed bed column. Significantly, the exhausted adsorbent can be conveniently regenerated without any noteworthy loss of adsorption capability. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that this new PUAC composite material holds significant promise as a potent sorbent for wastewater treatment backed by its excellent performance, cost-effectiveness, biodegradability, and outstanding reusability.6+ ions in a fixed bed column. Significantly, the exhausted adsorbent can be conveniently regenerated without any noteworthy loss of adsorption capability. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that this new PUAC composite material holds significant promise as a potent sorbent for wastewater treatment backed by its excellent performance, cost-effectiveness, biodegradability, and outstanding reusability., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

This study describes the effects of ceria (CeO 2 ) and dolomite [CaMg(CO 3 ) 2 ] additives on the pyrolysis behavior and fire resistive property of conventional intumescent flame retardant (IFR) coating system for I-beam steel substrate called ammonium polyphosphate-melamine-expandable graphite (APP-MEL-EG) system. The fire resistance of various formulations was evaluated using the standard vertical Bunsen burner fire test. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to understand the degradation of coating formulations. Observations by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) demonstrated that significant amounts of additives favored the formation of homogeneous compacted char structures, which were predominantly composed of carbon (C), phosphorus (P) and oxygen (O). These three main components of the char were also found to be in various binding combinations with other lighter elements like nitrogen (N) and hydrogen (H) as illustrated by the attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy results. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) further suggest that polyethylene([(CH 2 -C 2 H 2 -CH 2 ) n- ]) free radicals were abundant on the char surface for the two best formulations and the binding energy of this radical promoted the formation of aromatic carbon chains that enhanced the char's thermal stability. This means that the selection of appropriate additives and combinations of flame-retardant ingredients could significantly change the morphology of the char layer and improve its thermal stability during fire exposure., (© 2019 The Author(s).)

Carbon-based electrode materials have been widely used for many years for electrochemical charge storage, energy generation, and catalysis. We have developed an electrode material with high specific capacitance by entrapping graphite nanoparticles into a sol-gel network. Films from the resulting colloidal suspensions were highly porous due to the removal of the entrapped organic solvents from sol-gel matrix giving rise to high Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface areas (654 m(2)/g) and a high capacitance density ( approximately 37 F/g). An exponential increase of capacitance was observed with decreasing scan rates in cyclic voltammetry studies on these films suggesting the presence of pores ranging from micro (< 2 nm) to mesopores. BET surface analysis and scanning electron microscope images of these films also confirmed the presence of the micropores as well as mesopores. A steep drop in the double layer capacitance with polar electrolytes was observed when the films were rendered hydrophilic upon exposure to a mild oxygen plasma. We propose a model whereby the microporous hydrophobic sol-gel matrix perturbs the hydration of ions which moves ions closer to the graphite nanoparticles and consequently increase the capacitance of the film.