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In this study, the impact of particle form of the Cannabis indica plant biofibers and the fiber’s surface tailoring on the physical, thermal, dielectric, and mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester composite specimens manufactured utilizing nonconventional materials were investigated. The mechanical properties such as compressive, flexural, and tensile strengths of the composite specimens were noticed to increase after functionalization of biofiber with acrylic acid and maximum enhancement was found at 20% of biofiber sacking. The physical characterization was concentrated on the assurance of the dielectric constant, dielectric strength, dielectric loss, moisture absorption, chemical resistance, percentage of swelling, limiting oxygen index, and biodegradation of polymer composites under red soil. An increase in dielectric strength from 28 to 29 kV, limiting oxygen index values from 19% to 23%, and moisture/water absorption behavior was noted for resulted bio-composites after surface tailoring of biofiber. To assess the deterioration of the polymeric materials with the temperature, differential scanning calorimetric and the thermogravimetric tests were carried out and enhancement in thermal stability was noted after fortification of polyester composites with functionalized biofiber.

The transition from fossil-based to bio-based materials requires in-depth environmental durability analysis for material engineering and construction applications. We report the hydrothermal aging and biodegradation effect on 6 types of compatibilized microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) composites. The prepared highly loaded systems with 70 wt% of MCC showed a strong positive impact on the composites’ mechanical and thermomechanical properties concerning applied modifications. MCC was modified with different coupling agents, namely polyhydroxy amides (PHA), alkyl ester (EST), (3-Aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (APTMS), maleic acid anhydride, and polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (PMDI). In addition, cross-linking agent carbodiimide (CDI) was used as an alternative to MCC modification. Modification of MCC compared to unmodified composite induced the enhanced rigidity, creep properties, and thermal stability of the materials due to the cross-linking in the interface by proposed chemical treatment. PMDI and CDI chemical modification resulted in the highest elastic modulus while keeping high strength values. A significant 2.5-fold reduction of the coefficient of linear thermal expansion and decreased thermal strains for modified biocomposites were obtained. Due to the hydrophilic nature of MCC, the hydrothermal aging of the composites revealed a dramatic decrease in the elastic modulus and strength characteristics compared to neat PBS. The hydrophilicity depends on the applied surface modification as indicated by contact angle measurements and water absorption and swelling tests. EST facilitated water wetting and enhanced water penetration, and reduced material biodegradation to 30 days, a 2.5-fold improvement compared to the neat PBS polymer. In contrast, PHA, APTMS, PMDI, and CDI improved biocomposites durability while suppressing biodegradation. The obtained results could be useful for selecting an optimal MCC surface modification route to design novel and perspective biocomposites with tailored durability and biodegradation and to replace polyolefin composites for wood polymer composite applications.

Solar illumination is a promising source of primary energy to reduce global warming and to clean polluted waters, thus fostering research of the design of efficient photocatalysts for hydrogen production by water splitting and for contaminant degradation. In particular, photocatalysis by indium sulfide (In2S3) is drawing attention due to its suitable narrow bandgap of 2.0–2.3 eV for visible light harnessing, yet large-scale application of unmodified In2S3 is limited. Here we review the photocatalyst criteria for water splitting, the synthesis and morphological manipulations of In2S3, the synthesis of heterojunctions by coupling semiconductors to increase performance, and doping In2S3. In2S3-based heterojunctions, i.e., traditional type II, all-solid-state, and direct Z-scheme photocatalytic systems show benefits such as larger charge separation, broad solar spectrum absorption, and amended conduction band and valence band edge potentials for maximum pollutant removal and H2 production. The effect of dopant incorporation on electronic modulations of In2S3 is explained by the density functional theory.

As an alluring metal-free polymeric semiconductor material, graphite-like carbon nitride (g-C3N4; abbreviated as GCN) has triggered a new impetus in the field of photocatalysis, mainly favoured from its fascinating physicochemical and photoelectronic structural features. However, certain inherent drawbacks, involving rapid reassembly of photocarriers, low specific surface area and insufficient optical absorption, limit the wide-range applicability of GCN. Generation of 0D point defects mainly by introducing vacancies (C and/or N) into the framework of GCN has spurred extensive consideration owing to their distinctive qualities to manoeuvre substantially, the optical absorption, radiative carrier isolation, and surface photoreactions. The present review endeavours to summarise a comprehensive study on vacancy defect engineered GCN. Starting from the basic introduction of defects and C/N vacancy modulated GCN, numerous advanced strategies for the controlled designing of vacancy rich GCN have been explored and discussed. Afterwards, light was thrown on the various substantial technologies which are useful for characterising and identifying the introduction of defects in GCN. The salient significance of defect engineering in GCN has been reviewed concerning its impact on optical absorption, charge isolation and surface photoreaction ability. Typically, the achievement of defect engineered GCN has been scrutinised toward various applications like photocatalytic water splitting, CO2 conversion, N2 fixation, pollutant degradation, and H2O2 production. Finally, the review ends with conclusions and vouchsafing future challenges and opportunities on the intriguing and emerging area of vacancy defect engineered GCN photocatalysts.

Plant fibres are helically twisted cellulosic materials that are bonded together by lignin and hemicellulose matrices. Their physical, mechanical, and chemical properties depend enormously on the relative proportions of their chemical constituents, the atmospheric conditions, the age of the plant, and the collection time, among other factors. Hibiscus sabdariffa fibre is obtained by processing the stems or seeds of the Hibiscus sabdariffa plant (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), which is an evergreen plant that is grown in almost all tropical regions of the world. Polymer composites or membranes developed utilizing plant fibres exhibit astonishing chemical resistance and mechanical and thermal properties, which are attributed to their chemical constituents, low density, and structural dimensions. However, further augmentation of the pre-existing properties of plant-fibre-fortified bio-composites can be achieved via enhancing the bonding between the hydrophilic plant fibres and the hydrophobic matrix, which should be possible by tailoring the surfaces of the plant fibres. In the present article, the methods and techniques employed for the extraction of Hibiscus sabdariffa fibre and its conversion into micro- and nano-forms are discussed. In addition, the effects of numerous surface tailoring strategies on the physicomechanical, thermal, water uptake, and humidity absorption characteristics of Hibiscus sabdariffa fibre have been surveyed to establish surface tailoring strategies and fibre dimension modification as feasible processes for producing useful Hibiscus sabdariffa fibres to address industrial needs. The surface-tailored plant macro-/micro-/nanofibres can fortify bio-composites and thus improve the utilization of Hibiscus sabdariffa fibre as a dependable and reasonable material for industrial purposes, which in turn may help to meet worldwide targets for creating and developing biomaterials for a better future.

Considering the current scenario of rising environmental and energy concerns, engineering of Z-scheme photocatalytic systems is in the spotlight. The prime reason for this includes efficient redox abilities and effective space separation along with the migration of photoinduced charge carriers over conventional heterojunction systems. Herein we foreground the stumbling blocks of traditional heterojunction systems and enlighten the generations of Z-scheme photocatalysis originating from liquid-phase to direct Z-scheme photocatalytic systems. We provide substantial criteria and selection aspects of choosing reductive type photocatalysts as a potential aspirant for the Z-scheme photocatalytic system. As Z-scheme photocatalytic systems render effective space separation of photogenerated carriers, active species generation, wide optical absorption and amended redox ability. We focus on comprehensive illustration of all solid-state and direct Z-scheme photocatalysts by coupling reductive type photocatalysts with other semiconductor material and explored their potential for efficacious conversion of solar energy into functional energy. Herein, we aim to provide in-depth and updated criteria for selecting Z-scheme photocatalysts for CO2 reduction, water splitting, and nitrogen fixation. Lastly, the article compiles with a conclusive note about future perspectives and challenges accompanying all solid-state and direct Z-scheme Z photocatalysts and their energy conversion applications.

Considering the drawbacks of iron-based Fenton process, this work was aimed at designing of an efficient photo-Fenton like process via coupling of CuO/g-C3N4 photocatalyst with H2O2. The photo-Fenton like catalytic process was used for degradation of 2, 4-dimethyl phenol (DMP). The X% CuO/g-C3N4 Z-shceme photocatalyst samples were fabricated by thermal calcination method, varing the CuO percentage (X = 2 %, 4 % and 8 %) loaded on g-C3N4. A lab-scale photoreactor was used to assess and select the optimal removal efficiency for DMP degradation. The photocatalyst was characterized by advanced spectral techniques. Coupling of CuO/GCN system with H2O2 significantly improved photocatalytic activity via photo-Fenton process. The kinetics of photo-degradation was found to exhibit pseudo-first order reaction rules. The rate of photodegradation was strongly influenced by pH and different concentrations of H2O2. 4%CuO/g-C3N4/H2O2 system proved to be the most efficient and exhibited much higher photo removal efficiency than CuO/g-C3N4 system and permitted attaining 99 % degradation of DMP in reaction time of 120 min. The successful implementation of this work was effective and of significance for the economical decomposition process of pollutants present in water under visible light irradiation. Overall, utilization of the studied system leads to high catalytic efficiency in a relatively short degradation period, which is of immense potential in water purification.

Cellulose materials and products are frequently affected by environmental factors such as light, temperature, and humidity. Simulated UV irradiation, heat, and moisture exposure were comprehensively used to characterize changes in cellulose nanopaper (NP) tensile properties. For the preparation of NP, high-purity cellulose from old, unused filter paper waste was used. Lignin and xylan were used as sustainable green interface engineering modifiers for NP due to their structural compatibility, low price, nontoxic nature, and abundance as a by-product of biomass processing, as well as their ability to protect cellulose fibers from UV irradiation. Nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) suspension was obtained by microfluidizing cellulose suspension, and NP was produced by casting films from water suspensions. The use of filler from 1 to 30 wt% significantly altered NP properties. All nanopapers were tested for their sensitivity to water humidity, which reduced mechanical properties from 10 to 40% depending on the saturation level. Xylan addition showed a significant increase in the specific elastic modulus and specific strength by 1.4- and 2.8-fold, respectively. Xylan-containing NPs had remarkable resistance to UV irradiation, retaining 50 to 90% of their initial properties. Lignin-modified NPs resulted in a decreased mechanical performance due to the particle structure of the filler and the agglomeration process, but it was compensated by good property retention and enhanced elongation. The UV oxidation process of the NP interface was studied with UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy, which showed that the degradation of lignin and xylan preserves a cellulose fiber structure. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed the structural formation of the interface and supplemented understanding of UV aging impact on the surface and penetration depth in the cross-section. The ability to overcome premature aging in environmental factors can significantly benefit the wide adaption of NP in food packaging and functional applications.

Carbon-Fibre-Reinforced Polymers (CFRPs) have seen a steady rise in modern industrial applications due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. However, their potential is being hindered by delamination which is induced on them during machining operations. This has led to the adoption of new and innovative techniques like cryogenic-assisted machining which could potentially help reduce delamination. This study is aimed at investigating the effect of cryogenic conditions on achieving better hole quality with reduced delamination. In this paper, the numerical analysis of the drilling of CFRP composites is presented. Drilling tests were performed experimentally for validation purposes. The effects of cooling conditions and their subsequent effect on the thrust force and delamination were evaluated using ABAQUS/CAE. The numerical models and experimental results both demonstrated a significant reduction in the delamination factor in CFRP under cryogenic drilling conditions.

To match the current life-style, there is a huge demand and market for the processed food whose manufacturing requires multiple steps. The mounting demand increases the pressure on the producers and the regulatory bodies to provide sensitive, facile, and cost-effective methods to safeguard consumers’ health. In the multistep process of food processing, there are several chances that the food-spoiling microbes or contaminants could enter the supply chain. In this contest, there is a dire necessity to comprehend, implement, and monitor the levels of contaminants by utilizing various available methods, such as single-cell droplet microfluidic system, DNA biosensor, nanobiosensor, smartphone-based biosensor, aptasensor, and DNA microarray-based methods. The current review focuses on the advancements in these methods for the detection of food-borne contaminants and pathogens.

The ever-increasing demand for materials to have superior properties and satisfy functions in the field of soft robotics and beyond has resulted in the advent of the new field of four-dimensional (4D) printing. The ability of these materials to respond to various stimuli inspires novel applications and opens several research possibilities. In this work, we report on the 4D printing of one such Shape Memory Polymer (SMP) tBA-co-DEGDA (tert-Butyl Acrylate with diethylene glycol diacrylate). The novelty lies in establishing the relationship between the various characteristic properties (tensile stress, surface roughness, recovery time, strain fixity, and glass transition temperature) concerning the fact that the print parameters of the laser pulse frequency and print speed are governed in the micro-stereolithography (Micro SLA) method. It is found that the sample printed with a speed of 90 mm/s and 110 pulses/s possessed the best batch of properties, with shape fixity percentages of about 86.3% and recovery times as low as 6.95 s. The samples built using the optimal parameters are further subjected to the addition of graphene nanoparticles, which further enhances all the mechanical and surface properties. It has been observed that the addition of 0.3 wt.% of graphene nanoparticles provides the best results.

In the 21st century, hybrid nanocomposites were widely used in bioelectronic, biosensing, photocatalytic, and biomedical applications. In the present study, we fabricated a novel Fe3O4/PVA/Eggshell hybrid nanocomposite and physicochemically characterized it using powder XRD, EDS, FTIR, VSM, and HR-TEM analysis. The XRD spectrum revealed the crystalline and FCC configuration of Fe3O4 NPs with average crystal size of 16.28 nm, and the HRTEM image indicates the prepared hybrid nanocomposite is of spherical shape with less agglomeration. This hybrid nanocomposite showed a significant photodegradation property in degrading organic pollutants such as congo red and crystal violet dyes under the sunlight irradiation. In addition, the hybrid nanocomposite also displayed a potent antibacterial property against different Gram +ve and Gram −ve bacterial pathogens. This study provides a significant example in the overview of fabrication of cost effectively, eco-friendly, and multiple-application hybrid nanocomposites through eggshell membrane fibers.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most frequent complication during pregnancy. This complex disease is characterized by glucose intolerance and consequent hyperglycemia that begins or is first diagnosed in pregnancy, and affects almost 7% of pregnant women. Previous reports have shown that GDM is associated with increased pregnancy complications and might cause abnormal fetal development. At present, treatments are not suitable for the prevention and management of these patients. As an alternative therapeutic opportunity and a leading scientific technique, nanotechnology has helped enlighten the health of these affected women. Theranostic nanomaterials with unique properties and small sizes (at least

Extensive contamination of water bodies by textile dyeing industries, organic pollutants and agricultural waste has emerged water pollution as one of the major global environmental crisis. The effect of this gross negligence is posing serious threats to human health therefore today; conserving water resources for the essence of life is of grave concern. Recently, advancements in photocatalytic properties of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) for wastewater treatment have gained tremendous interest in research. However, pristine g-C3N4 suffers from bottlenecks such as low surface area, rapid recombination of photo-generated electron–hole pairs and insufficient light absorption which thereby, reduces the photocatalytic degradation activity. Hitherto, noble metals have been widely utilized as dopants but are cost ineffective, rarely found and are difficult to recover. In this updated and all-inclusive review we have briefly discussed photocatalysis mechanism, primarily focused on non-precious elemental doping via various synthesis techniques of noble metal free doped g-C3N4 photocatalysts. Typically metal, non-metal, rare earth metal doping and co-doping have been explored, which demonstrates the synergistic behavior of the doped nanocomposites in modulation of electronic structure, broaden the visible light absorption range, enhancement in photocatalytic wastewater remediation ability to obtain maximum pollutant eradication. Summary remarks conclude the review with valuable knowledge of noble metal free doped g-C3N4 photocatalysts for water purification and sheds light on current challenges and crucial issues associated with its commercialization. The future aspect aims at designing of efficient solar light driven photocatalysts for application in various domains i.e. production of H2 and O2, reduction of CO2, practical use of solar cells, treatment of wastewater, air purification and environmental conservation.

Here, we report a facile and easily scalable hydrothermal synthetic strategy to synthesize Ni–V layered double hydroxide (NiV LDH) nanosheets toward high-energy and high-power-density supercapacitor applications. NiV LDH nanosheets with varying Ni-to-V ratios were prepared. Three-dimensional curved nanosheets of Ni0.80V0.20 LDH showed better electrochemical performance compared to other synthesized NiV LDHs. The electrode coated with Ni0.80V0.20 LDH nanosheets in a three-electrode cell configuration showed excellent pseudocapacitive behavior, having a high specific capacity of 711 C g–1 (1581 F g–1) at a current density of 1 A g–1 in 2 M KOH. The material showed an excellent rate capability and retained the high specific capacity of 549 C g–1 (1220 F g–1) at a current density of 10 A g–1 and low internal resistances. Owing to its superior performance, Ni0.80V0.20 LDH nanosheets were used as positive electrode and commercial activated carbon was used as negative electrode for constructing a hybrid supercapacitor (HSC) device, having a working voltage of 1.5 V. The HSC device exhibited a high specific capacitance of 98 F g–1 at a current density of 1 A g–1. The HSC device showed a higher energy density of 30.6 Wh kg–1 at a power density of 0.78 kW kg–1 and maintained a high value of 24 Wh kg–1 when the power density was increased to 11.1 kW kg–1. The performance of NiV LDHs nanosheets indicates their great potential as low-cost electrode material for future energy-storage devices.

This review compiles recent advances and challenges on photocatalytic treatment of wastewater using nanoparticles, nanocomposites, and polymer nanocomposites as photocatalyst. The review provides an overview of the fundamental principles of photocatalytic treatment along the recent advances on photocatalytic treatment, especially on the modification strategies and operational conditions to enhance treatment efficiency and removal of recalcitrant organic contaminants. The different types of photocatalysts along the key factors influencing their performance are also critically discussed and recommendations for future research are provided.

Funder: Interreg Deutschland–Denmark, Piezoelectric materials are widely referred to as “smart” materials because they can transduce mechanical pressure acting on them to electrical signals and vice versa. They are extensively utilized in harvesting mechanical energy from vibrations, human motion, mechanical loads, etc., and converting them into electrical energy for low power devices. Piezoelectric transduction offers high scalability, simple device designs, and high‐power densities compared to electro‐magnetic/static and triboelectric transducers. This review aims to give a holistic overview of recent developments in piezoelectric nanostructured materials, polymers, polymer nanocomposites, and piezoelectric films for implementation in energy harvesting. The progress in fabrication techniques, morphology, piezoelectric properties, energy harvesting performance, and underpinning fundamental mechanisms for each class of materials, including polymer nanocomposites using conducting, non‐conducting, and hybrid fillers are discussed. The emergent application horizon of piezoelectric energy harvesters particularly for wireless devices and self‐powered sensors is highlighted, and the current challenges and future prospects are critically discussed.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Metallic substrates and polymer adhesive in composite-metal joints have a relatively large coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch, which is a barrier in the growing market of electric vehicles and their battery structures. It is reported that adding carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to the adhesive reduces the CTE of the CNT-enhanced polymer adhesive multi-material system, and therefore when used in adhesively bonded joints it would, theoretically, result in low CTE mismatch in the joint system. The current article presents the influence of two specific mass ratios of CNTs on the CTE of the enhanced polymer. It was observed that the addition of 1.0 wt% and 2.68 wt% of multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs) decreased the CTE of the polymer adhesive from 7.5&times, 10&minus, 5 &deg, C&minus, 1 (pristine level) to 5.87&times, 1 and 4.43&times, 1, respectively, by 22% and 41% reductions.

Vegetable fiber- bolstered polymer composites are locating their role extensively in structural engineering ranging from civil structures to automobile fabricating because of the properties, like easy availability, low density, biocompatibility, bio decomposability and ease to handle. Over past few decades these products had been evaluated for their mechanical and chemical resistance strength and were contrasted with those of artificial fibers bolstered composite materials. In addition to above properties, evaluation of thermal characteristics of vegetable fibers and their composites have been also a topic of count because they decide the overall performance of the resulted products. Impact of temperature on adhesion of fiber with matrix, on matrix curing, on matrix cross linking and fire damage during fabrication have been also a part of thermal study. No doubt, there are numerous works have been mentioned in literature on thermal stability of natural fibers and these fibers reinforced thermoplastic/thermosetting matrix based composites. However, in present chapter we will very well take a look at thermal behaviour of different raw vegetable fibers, phenolic matrix and vegetable fibers reinforced phenolic matrix composites. In addition, impacts of fiber’s surface functionalization on thermal behaviour of fibers and fibers reinforced phenolic composites will be also a part of our study in this chapter.

The utilisation of the industrial residual products to develop new value-added materials and to reduce footprint is one of the critical challenges of science and industry. Development of the new multifunctional and bio-based composites materials is an excellent opportunity for the effective utilisation of industrial residual products. Keeping the different issues in mind, in this work, we describe the manufacturing and characterisation of the three-phases bio-based composites. The key components are bio-based binder made of peat, devulcanised crumb rubber (DCR) from used tires and part of the fly ash, i.e. the cenosphere (CS). The three-phase composite prepared in the form of a block were investigated for their mechanical properties and density. The three-phase composite was prepared in the form a) of a block were investigated for their mechanical properties, and density and b) a form of granules for determination of the water and oil products sorption were investigated. We have also investigated the dependence of the properties on the DCR and CS fraction. It has been found, that maximum compression strength (in block form) observed for composition without CS and DCR addition was- 79.3 MPa, while the second-highest value of compression strength is 11.2 MPa for composition with 27.3 wt% of CS. For compositions with bio binder content from 17.4 to 55.8 wt% and with DCR contents in range from 11.0 to 62.0 wt%, the compression strength is in the range from 1.1 to 2.0 MPa. Liquid sorption analysis (water and diesel) showed that the maximum saturation of liquids in both cases is set after 35 minutes and ranges from 1.05 to 1.4 g·g -1 for water and 0.77 to 1.25 g·g-1 for diesel. It was noted that 90% of the maximum saturation with diesel fuel comes after 10 minutes and for water after 35 minutes.

The utilisation of industrial residual products to develop new value-added materials and reduce their environmental footprint is one of the critical challenges of science and industry. Development of new multifunctional and bio-based composite materials is an excellent opportunity for the effective utilisation of residual industrial products and a right step in the Green Deal's direction as approved by the European Commission. Keeping the various issues in mind, we describe the manufacturing and characterisation of the three-component bio-based composites in this work. The key components are a bio-based binder made of peat, devulcanised crumb rubber (DCR) from used tyres, and part of the fly ash, i.e., the cenosphere (CS). The three-phase composites were prepared in the form of a block to investigate their mechanical properties and density, and in the form of granules for the determination of the sorption of water and oil products. We also investigated the properties’ dependence on the DCR and CS fraction. It was found that the maximum compression strength (in block form) observed for the composition without CS and DCR addition was 79.3 MPa, while the second-highest value of compression strength was 11.2 MPa for the composition with 27.3 wt.% of CS. For compositions with a bio-binder content from 17.4 to 55.8 wt.%, and with DCR contents ranging from 11.0 to 62.0 wt.%, the compressive strength was in the range from 1.1 to 2.0 MPa. Liquid-sorption analysis (water and diesel) showed that the maximum saturation of liquids, in both cases, was set after 35 min and ranged from 1.05 to 1.4 g·g -1 for water, and 0.77 to 1.25 g·g-1 for diesel. It was observed that 90% of the maximum saturation with diesel fuel came after 10 min and for water after 35 min.

Recently, biocomposites have emerged as materials of great interest to the scientists and industry around the globe. Among various polymers, polylactic acid (PLA) is a popular matrix material with high potential for advanced applications. Various particulate materials and nanoparticles have been used as the filler in PLA based matrix. One of the extensively studied filler is cellulose. However, cellulose fibres, due to their hydrophilic nature, are difficult to blend with a hydrophobic polymer matrix. This leads to agglomeration and creates voids, reducing the mechanical strength of the resulting composite. Moreover, the role of the various forms of pure cellulose and its particle shape factors has not been analyzed in most of the current literature. Therefore, in this work, materials of various shapes and shape factors were selected as fillers for the production of polymer composites using Polylactic acid as a matrix to fill this knowledge gap. In particular, pure cellulose fibres (three types with different elongation coefficient) and two mineral nanocomponents: precipitated calcium carbonate and montmorillonite were used. The composites were prepared by a melt blending process using two different levels of fillers: 5% and 30%. Then, the analysis of their thermomechanical and physico-chemical properties was carried out. The obtained results were presented graphically and discussed in terms of their shape and degree of filling.

Marble waste is generated by marble processing units in large quantities and dumped onto open land areas. This creates environmental problems by contaminating soil, water, and air with adverse health effects on all the living organisms. In this work, we report on understanding the use of calcium-rich marble waste particulates (MPs) as economic reinforcement in recyclable polypropylene (PP) to prepare sustainable composites via the injection molding method. The process was optimized to make lightweight and high-strength thermally insulated sustainable composites. Physicochemical, mineralogical, and microscopic characterization of the processed marble waste particulates were carried out in detail. Composite samples were subsequently prepared via the injection molding technique with different filler concentrations (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%) on weight fraction at temperatures of 160, 180, and 200 &deg, C. Detailed analysis of the mechanical and thermal properties of the fabricated composites was carried out. The composites showed a density varying from 0.96 to 1.27 g/cm3, while the water absorption capacity was very low at 0.006%&ndash, 0.034%. Marble waste particulates were found to considerably increase the tensile, as well as flexural, strength of the sustainable composites, which varied from 22.06 to 30.65 MPa and 43.27 to 58.11MPa, respectively, for the molding temperature of 160 &deg, C. The impact strength of the sustainable composites was found to surge with the increment in filler concentration, and the maximum impact strength was recorded as 1.66 kJ/m2with 20% particulates reinforcement at a molding temperature of 200 &deg, C. The thermal conductivity of the particulates-reinforced sustainable composites was as low as 0.23 Wm&minus, 1K&minus, 1 at a 200 &deg, C molding temperature with 20% and 40% filler concentrations, and the maximum thermal conductivity was 0.48 Wm&minus, 1 at a 160 &deg, C molding temperature with 80% filler concentration. Our findings have shown a technically feasible option for manufacturing a lightweight composite with better mechanical and thermal properties using marble waste particulates as a potential civil infrastructural material.

Reduced graphene oxide (RGO) was synthesized in this research via Tour&rsquo, s method for the use of filler in the hydrogel matrix. The copolymerization of N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMA) onto the gum tragacanth (GT) was carried out to develop gum tragacanth-cl-N,N-dimethylacrylamide (GT-cl-poly(DMA)) hydrogel using N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (NMBA) and potassium persulfate (KPS) as cross-linker and initiator correspondingly. The various GT-cl-poly(DMA) hydrogel synthesis parameters were optimized to achieve maximum swelling of GT-cl-poly(DMA) hydrogel. The optimized GT-cl-poly(DMA) hydrogel was then filled with RGO to form reduced graphene oxide incorporated gum tragacanth-cl-N,N-dimethylacrylamide (GT-cl-poly(DMA)/RGO) hydrogel composite. The synthesized samples were used for competent adsorption of Hg2+ and Cr6+ ions. Fourier transform infrared, X-ray powder diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to characterize the gum tragacanth-cl-N,N-dimethylacrylamide hydrogel and reduced graphene oxide incorporated gum tragacanth-cl-N,N-dimethylacrylamide hydrogel composite. The experiments of adsorption-desorption cycles for Hg2+ and Cr6+ ions were carried out to perform the reusability of gum tragacanth-cl-N,N-dimethylacrylamide hydrogel and reduced graphene oxide incorporated gum tragacanth-cl-N,N-dimethylacrylamide hydrogel composite. From these two samples, reduced graphene oxide incorporated gum tragacanth-cl-N,N-dimethylacrylamide exhibited high adsorption ability. The Hg2+ and Cr6+ ions adsorption by gum tragacanth-cl-N,N-dimethylacrylamide and reduced graphene oxide incorporated gum tragacanth-cl-N,N-dimethylacrylamide were best suited for pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm. The reported maximum Hg2+ and Cr6+ ions adsorption capacities were 666.6 mg g-1 and 473.9 mg g-1 respectively.

Biodegradable polymer composites from renewable resources are the next-generation of wood-like materials and are crucial for the development of various industries to meet sustainability goals. Functional applications like packaging, medicine, automotive, construction and sustainable housing are just some that would greatly benefit. Some of the existing industries, like wood plastic composites, already encompass given examples but are dominated by fossil-based polymers that are unsustainable. Thus, there is a background to bring a new perspective approach for the combination of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) fillers in bio-based poly (butylene succinate) matrix (PBS). MCC, NFC and MCC/NFC filler total loading at 40 wt % was used to obtain more insights for wood-like composite applications. The ability to tailor the biodegradable characteristics and the mechanical properties of PBS composites is indispensable for extended applications. Five compositions have been prepared with MCC and NFC fillers using melt blending approach. Young&rsquo, s modulus in tensile test mode and storage modulus at 20 &deg, C in thermo-mechanical analysis have increased about two-fold. Thermal degradation temperature was increased by approximately 60 &deg, C compared to MCC and NFC. Additionally, to estimate the compatibility of the components and morphology of the composite&rsquo, s SEM analysis was performed for fractured surfaces. The contact angle measurements testified the developed matrix interphase. Differential scanning calorimetry evidenced the trans-crystallization of the polymer after filler incorporation, the crystallization temperature shifted to the higher temperature region. The MCC has a stronger effect on the crystallinity degree than NFC filler. PBS disintegrated under composting conditions in a period of 75 days. The NFC/MCC addition facilitated the specimens&rsquo, decomposition rate up to 60 days

Bio-based aerogels with customizable porosities and functionalities constitute a significant potential for CO2 capture. Developing bio-based aerogels from different polysaccharides and proteins is a safe, economical, and environmentally sustainable approach. Polysaccharides are biodegradable, sustainable, renewable, and plentiful in nature. Because of these advantages, the use of bio-based aerogels with porosity and amine functionality has attracted considerable interest. In this review, we have discussed the recent development in the synthesis of bio-based aerogels and their application in CO2 capture.

peer-reviewed An Author Correction to this article was published on the 4/02/2021 and updated in ULIR on 09/02/2021, see file version 2. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) embedded polymers are of increasing interest to scientific and industrial communities for multi‑functional applications. in this article, cnts have been introduced to high‑ strength epoxy adhesive for enabling in‑situ strain sensing in adhesively bonded aluminium‑to‑ aluminium single‑lap joints to accurately indicate the onset and propagation of adhesion failure to the evolution of piezo-resistivity in varying mechanical loads. The CNT modified adhesive in bonded joints and the CNT modified adhesive alone have been tested under monothonic and cyclic tensile loads up to ultimate failure. the changes in the piezo‑resistivity induced by the cnts have been monitored in situ with respect to loading. A novel interpretation method has been developed for progressive, instantaneous adhesion failure estimation under cyclic tensile stresses from a resistivity baseline. the method indicates that the in‑situ resistivity changes and the rate of the changes with strain, i.e. sensitivity, strongly correlate with the adhesion failure progression, irrespective of the cnt dispersion quality. Moreover, the effect of bond thickness on the evolution of piezo-resistivity and adhesion failure have been studied. It was observed that relatively thin adhesive bonds (0.18 mm thickness), possessing higher CNT contact points than thick bonds (0.43 mm thickness), provide 100 times higher sensitivity to varying cyclic loads.

We reported the immobilization of binary heterojunction Eu3+-ZnO/Bi2O3 over the surface of graphene oxide (GO) sheets by precipitation method to compose a visible light drive photocatalyst. The ternary nanocomposites were characterized by different spectral technique like FESEM, FTIR, XRD, XPS, EDX, HRTEM, UV–visible, PL, HPLC and LCMS analysis. The high specific surface area of 106.0 m2g-1 of Eu3+-ZnO/Bi2O3/GO nanocomposites was ascertained by BET adsorption-desorption isotherm. The nano-composite exhibit excellent photo-efficiency for the photodegradation of 2, 4-dimethyl phenol (DMP) under visible region and was almost completely mineralized in 100 min as compared to the bare and binary system. The mineralized products of DMP were analyzed by HPLC and LCMS analysis. The kinetic model suggests the degradation pathway obeys pseudo-first order kinetic. Their antibacterial property were assessed against E. coli bacteria and nearly 90% of gram negative bacteria were killed by using ternary photocatalyst as determined by CFU method. Also, Eu3+-ZnO/Bi2O3/GO nanocomposites possessed significant recycle efficiency up to six consecutive cycles which is beneficial to minimize the tariff. The improved photo-efficiency is due to the extension towards visible region, increase surface area, and high charge separation in ternary heterojunction.

In recent years, numerous discoveries and investigations have been remarked for the development of carbon-based polymer nanocomposites. Carbon-based materials and their composites hold encouraging employment in a broad array of fields, for example, energy storage devices, fuel cells, membranes sensors, actuators, and electromagnetic shielding. Carbon and its derivatives exhibit some remarkable features such as high conductivity, high surface area, excellent chemical endurance, and good mechanical durability. On the other hand, characteristics such as docility, lower price, and high environmental resistance are some of the unique properties of conducting polymers (CPs). To enhance the properties and performance, polymeric electrode materials can be modified suitably by metal oxides and carbon materials resulting in a composite that helps in the collection and accumulation of charges due to large surface area. The carbon-polymer nanocomposites assist in overcoming the difficulties arising in achieving the high performance of polymeric compounds and deliver high-performance composites that can be used in electrochemical energy storage devices. Carbon-based polymer nanocomposites have both advantages and disadvantages, so in this review, attempts are made to understand their synergistic behavior and resulting performance. The three electrochemical energy storage systems and the type of electrode materials used for them have been studied here in this article and some aspects for example morphology, exterior area, temperature, and approaches have been observed to influence the activity of electrochemical methods. This review article evaluates and compiles reported data to present a significant and extensive summary of the state of the art.

Tungsten oxide (WOx) is one of the most important and commonly used n-type wide band-gap oxygen-deficient metal oxide semiconductors with several important physicochemical properties, which enabled them to be used in numerous biomedical applications. Recently, researchers have demonstrated that: (I) suitable modifications in their dimension, crystal structure and morphology by doping metals into the WOx lattice framework play a critical role in improving their applications by tuning the physicochemical properties; (ii) metal doped WOx nanoparticles (NPs) can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon absorption of NIR light even in the absence of photosensitizer and molecular oxygen; (iii) doping of noble metals into WOx films increase their electrical conductivity for improved electrochemical sensing; and (iv) the binary and ternary conjugates of WOx or tungsten-bronze exhibit increased photoelectric conversion ability and ROS production rate as well as improved photothermal conversion efficiency. However, no comprehensive review article has been reported yet on metal-doped WOxNPs and hybrid WOx nanocomposites. Therefore, herein we aimed to discuss firstly the several methods of metal-doped and hybrid WOxNPs synthesis such as precipitation, hydrothermal, microwave and solvothermal methods, etc. with appropriate conditions that control their size, shape, crystal structure and defects upon which the physicochemical properties depend. After that, we have discussed about some of their important physicochemical properties. Finally, we thoroughly reviewed the biomedical applications of WOxNPs in the field of biosensing, imaging, antibacterial and anticancer therapy with probable mechanisms. Finally, we have discussed the lacunae and the anticipated applications of WOxNPs. This review will provide a platform for understanding the different synthesis routes and the mechanistic details of the biomedical applications of metal-doped/hybrid WOxNPs to design novel nanocomposites with improved physico-chemical properties for their future applications.

Graphical abstract, COVID-19 pandemic has left a catastrophic effect on the world economy and human civilization. As an effective step towards controlling the transmission of viral infections during multiple waves of COVID-19, there is an urgent need to develop robust nanobiosensors for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 with high sensitivity, specificity, and fast analysis. Aptameric nanobiosensors are rapid and sensitive diagnostic platforms, capable of SARS-CoV-2 detection, which overcomes the limitations of the conventional techniques. This review article presents an outline of the aptameric nanobiosensors established for improved diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 and the future perspectives are also covered.

The search for new polymer processing ways has become necessary due to the rapidly growing technology and market needs. The time of manufacturing products, as well as the impact of process parameters and the design itself on the properties of materials have become very important. Therefore, the creation of assumptions allowing the construction of a compact device whose construction will allow, for example, high process efficiency at low screw rotational speeds or a high degree of material homogenisation, is expected by the market. However, this requires the design of new or continuous modifications and improvements to existing structures.

Guar gum based hydrogels have evoked great attention in research as well as in industry for exploring miscellaneous applications in the field of water purification, medicine, agriculture, explosives, cosmetics, textile, paper, and food to name a few. In this article, latest modifications for developing guar gum based hydrogels and composite materials for water purification application are extensively reviewed. Regenerative nature of Guar gum hydrogels makes it a better choice for treating wastewater as well as other value-added applications. Moreover, nonionic nature makes guar gum an acceptable material for further modifications. In this article, we also present a brief discussion on structure and properties of guar gum.

Since their first allusion, carbon nanotubes have attracted significant research interest, especially with respect to composite manufacturing as a filler material for enhancing their mechanical and electrical properties. Several methods have been developed for modifying the electrical properties of carbon nanotubes such as CNTs wall's carbon atoms substitution with other appropriate atoms including engineering of their outer surfaces by covalent and noncovalent molecules, such as CNTs channel filling and nano-chemical reactions therein. CNTs with tailored electrical conduction open large perspectives for their applicabilities in advanced technologies. Taking into consideration the innovative advantages of pure and hybrid CNTs, in this article we have comprehensively reviewed the latest state-of-art research developments in the direction of different synthesis strategies, structure-property relationships, and advanced applications towards energy storage, supercapacitors , electrodes, catalytic supports, as well as biosensing.

Covalent immobilization of resveratrol onto cellulose acetate polymeric membranes used as coating on a Mg-1Ca-0.2Mn-0.6Zr alloy is presented for potential application in the improvement of osseointegration processes. For this purpose, cellulose acetate membrane is hydrolysed in the presence of potassium hydroxide, followed by covalent immobilization of aminopropyl triethoxy silane. Resveratrol was immobilized onto membranes using glutaraldehyde as linker. The newly synthesised functional membranes were thoroughly characterized for their structural characteristics determination employing X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Subsequently, in vitro cellular tests were performed for evaluating the cytotoxicity biocompatibility of synthesized materials and also the osseointegration potential of obtained derivatised membrane material. It was demonstrated that both polymeric membranes support viability and proliferation of the pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells, thus providing a good protection against the potential harmful effects of the compounds released from coated alloys. Furthermore, cellulose acetate membrane functionalized with resveratrol exhibits a significant increase in alkaline phosphatase activity and extracellular matrix mineralization, suggesting its suitability to function as an implant surface coating for guided bone regeneration.

Glucose detection by sensing materials has acquired attention recently due to the growing requirement for susceptible and specific glucose sensors in pharmaceutical, clinical and industrial areas. Graphene and its derivative-based polymer nanocomposites can be used extensively as a specific class of effective electrode substances in electrochemical sensing due to its large surface area and interesting physical and electrochemical characteristics. This study covers the various production techniques for polymer-based graphene derivative nanocomposites in electrochemical glucose detection.

Seawater desalination by utilizing a membrane-based technology is a crucial step to overcome the freshwater shortage in some regions of the world. However, the durability and performance of membranes rely on the type of fillers and materials utilized for the fabrication of the membrane. Since low-cost cellulose or its derivatives have been extensively used for the development of membranes in the last few years, so this review article has been focused on the exploration of the endeavours made by scientists for the development and improvement of biocompatible membranes utilizing distinctive cellulose-based materials. In particular, cellulosic materials such as the cellulose nanofibres, cellulose nanocrystals, bacterial nano cellulose and diverse cellulose derivatives exhibit different properties and structures, but all of these have been found to enhance the porosity, pore size, hydrophilic character and thus ultimately salt-removal capability and water permeability of the membrane. In this article, we have also analysed, the impact of chemical functionalization or loading of inorganic fillers onto the performance of cellulosic membranes utilized in different technologies such as reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, solar desalination, etc. The economic empowerment of cellulosic membranes not just relies on the fabrication steps, yet additionally on their potential in water desalination.

In this paper, we report a novel three-layer polymer reactor capable of simple/tandem self-controlled catalysis. The top and bottom layers were composed of two different molecularly imprinted polymers respectively containing two catalytic sites (an acidic site catalyzing hydrolysis and metal nanoparticles catalyzing reduction), performing two selective tandem reactions without interference between each other. The middle layer was composed of a copolymer of poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM) and polyacrylamide (PAm) in different ratios, acting as a temperature-responsive switch for the tandem catalysis process. In an aqueous environment, when the temperature is lower than the Lower Critical Solution Temperature (LCST) of the copolymer, the reactor exhibited an open middle access (hydrophilic condition) of intermediate, allowing the tandem processes from hydrolysis to reduction. When the temperature is higher than the LCST, the channels of the middle layer were closed (hydrophobic condition), which obstructed the access of reactants. As a result, the reactor could only conduct simple hydrolysis processes. Therefore, with the three-layer structure, the polymer reactor has led to a self-controlled catalysis. This new multi-layer polymeric reaction concept can expand the practical use of functional catalysts by permitting the control of processes in large temperature ranges.

As an interesting conjugated polymer, g-C 3 N 4 has drawn huge interdisciplinary consideration as the latest research “hotspot” in energy conversion and wastewater mitigation. Nonetheless, due to less surface area and charge carrier transfer photocatalytic efficacy of g-C 3 N 4 is restricted. Lately, new advancements has been attained concerning avant-garde all-solid-state (ASS) Z-scheme systems to boost photocatalytic efficiency. Therefore, coupling g-C 3 N 4 photocatalyst with appropriate photocatalyst to construct ASS Z-scheme structure proposes a significant way to enhance charge separation, expand the specific surface area and boost catalytic performance. This review extensively aims at g-C 3 N 4 based ASS Z-scheme photocatalysts grounded on their structure, DFT calculations, photocatalytic properties, interface charge transfer, and drawbacks. We have predominantly introduced various techniques to enhance catalytic performances of g-C 3 N 4 grounded ASS Z-scheme semiconductor photocatalysts. Apart from this, photocatalytic applications towards CO 2 reduction, water splitting, bacterial disinfection, pollutant degradation are systematically discussed. Lastly, challenges and invigorating perspectives that g-C 3 N 4 grounded ASS Z-scheme semiconductor photocatalysts face are recapitulated and explored. In current paper, we have extensively focused on g-C 3 N 4 based ASS Z-scheme systems and expect that the present review on rapid-improving pace of research field is apt for engineering g-C 3 N 4 grounded ASS Z-scheme photocatalysts for sustainable advanced applications.

Hydroxyapatite–starch composites solidify rapidly via jellification, making them suitable candidates for robocasting. However, many aspects related to hydroxyapatite powder characteristics, hydroxyapatite–starch interaction, and composites composition and properties need to be aligned with robocasting requirements to achieve a notable improvement in the functionality of printed scaffolds intended for bone regeneration. This article presents a preliminary evaluation of hydroxyapatite–starch microcomposites. Thermal analysis of the starting powders was performed for predicting composites’ behavior during heat-induced densification. Also, morphology, mechanical properties, and hydroxyapatite–starch interaction were evaluated for the jellified composites and the porous bodies obtained after conventional sintering, for different starch additions, and for ceramic particle size distributions. The results indicate that starch could be used for hydroxyapatite consolidation in limited quantities, whereas the composites shall be processed under controlled temperature. Due to a different mechanical behavior induced by particle size and geometry, a wide particle size distribution of hydroxyapatite powder is recommended for further robocasting ink development.

The present study highlights the beneficial effects of premixing of highly loaded poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) / nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) nanocomposites under solution conditions and its use as a masterbatch for melt blending. The proposed masterbatch process strategy is a very promising manufacturing technique for nanocomposites. Herein, we show the preparation of masterbatch with NFC with a very high loading of 50 wt.%. Research is aimed towards understanding the solution and melt processing effects on the structure and exploitation properties. The composites with NFC loadings from 5 up to 15 wt.% have been prepared by diluting the masterbatch and compared to conventional solvent casting. The masterbatch process significantly reduced overall solvent usage and improved the NFC dispersion within the polymer matrix. The samples prepared by solution casting showed excellent mechanical performance with an increase in elastic modulus up to 1.6-fold and storage modulus up to 2-fold at room temperature (20 °C) compared to the neat PBS, while masterbatch processed samples showed even higher overall mechanical properties – 1.8-fold and 2.5-fold increase in elastic modulus and storage modulus, correspondingly. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging indicated a homogeneous NFC dispersion for masterbatch samples and revealed agglomeration of NFC for the solvent cast ones. Biodegradation studies in the composting conditions were performed to underpin the weight, visual changes, calorimetric properties, while chemical changes were studied using spectroscopy. The NFC significantly accelerated the nanocomposites' biodegradation process from 80 days for the neat PBS to 60 days for the nanocomposites. The calorimetric studies indicate that NFC promoted crystalline phase formation and reduced crystallinity, but thermal stability was not significantly affected. In addition, the reinforcement factor analysis shows that the suitable masterbatch NFC nanocomposite preparation method's choice has a high potential to obtain high-performance materials for PBS films and packaging applications.

A number of studies on zinc ferrite (ZnFe2O4) as photocatalyst in cleaning wastewater have been achieved, because zinc ferrite nanoparticles are less toxic, chemically stable, possess high magnetic crystalline anisotropy, high coercivity, good magnetization, are biocompatible and cost-effective. Besides, separation of zinc ferrite photocatalyst is facile due to its magnificent magnetic behavior. The current review addresses zinc ferrite as a promising photocatalyst, its magnetic properties and electronic structure. Furthermore, various synthesis techniques have been reviewed viz. hydrothermal, sol-gel, polyol, co-precipitation, microwave, solvothermal, microemulsion, etc. for zinc ferrite photocatalysts. Various strategies for enhancing photocatalytic performances of heterojunctioned zinc ferrite photocatalysts were thoroughly reviewed. In conclusion, challenges and upcoming research requirements in edict to improve photocatalytic applications of zinc ferrite photocatalysts are addressed.

Transition to the circular economy requires the implementation of recycling and reuse routes for waste products. This research addresses one of the leading emerging areas, i.e., the development of sustainable materials and natural waste processing, namely wood and hemp byproducts. The cellulosic nanomaterials derived from these under-utilized waste residues and byproducts also serve as promising natural precursors for advanced applications, e.g., biomedical, pollution filtering, and thermal insulation. The wood and hemp fibrils were prepared by microfluidic processing of 0.2 – 1.0 wt% cellulose water suspensions. After freeze-drying, the resulting foam materials were characterized with a bulk density of 2 – 36 mg/cc. Key characteristics of the obtained hemp and wood nanocellulose (NC) foams were examined by the mechanical response, porosity, BET analysis, thermal conductivity, thermal degradation, chemical composition, and morphology. Hemp NC foams showed higher performance characteristics that coincide with almost twice the length of the fibrils, 1.5 times higher cellulose content, and a more homogeneous mesh-like structure compared to wood NC foams. In addition, the thermal performance of obtained NC foams was in the range of 34 – 44 mW/m·K, which makes their application comparable to commonly used insulation materials.

A novel all-solid-state (ASS) Z-scheme BiVO4/CQDs/FeVO4 photocatalyst with highly enhanced photocatalytic performance was successfully fabricated via a simple hydrothermal technique. The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared sample was evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue under visible-light irradiation. The ASS Z-scheme BiVO4/CQDs/FeVO4 photocatalyst decomposed 98% methylene blue after 120 min irradiation, which was greater than that of pristine BiVO4 and FeVO4. With unique structural configuration, ASS Z-scheme BiVO4/CQDs/FeVO4 heterojunction could enhance charge separation efficacy, improve redox ability, and prolong the lifetime of photo-excitons, resulting in remarkably improved durability and photocatalytic performance.

Innovative characteristics of hydrogels such as swellability, modifiability and hydrophilicity make them materials of choice for water treatment and other applications. Hydrogels have shown excellent adsorptive performance for different types of water pollutants comprising toxic dyes, nutrients and heavy metals. Among different types of hydrogel based materials, hydrogel-nanomaterials combination represent a highly viable method to further improve the properties of hydrogel for numerous applications. The combination of hydrogel and nanomaterials leads to the development of hybrid hydrogel with multifunctional network. This novel combination gives synergistic effect to the newly formed novel hydrogel materials. In this article, we briefly review the recent progress in gelatin based hydrogel nanocomposites with particular emphasis on wastewater treatment along with biomedical applications.

Lately Hydroxyapatite has gained a lot of research interest and intense focus due to its structural as well as compositional similarity to the components of human bone mineral. The conversion of calcium-rich precursors to hydroxyapatite could lead to the development of a new sustainable alternative with a valuable environmental and socio-economically impact. Still, current approaches faces lots of challenges in terms of synthesis parameters compatible to a reproducible route for calcium phosphates (hydroxyapatite included) synthesis. The optimization of Rathje synthesis route and characterization of biogenic derived calcium phosphates from dolomitic marble and Mytilus galloprovincialis seashells, constitutes the main goals of this study. The synthesized materials were characterized using FTIR, SEM coupled with EDS, and X-ray diffraction at all synthesis stages. Precursors were also subjected to thermal analysis and differential scanning calorimetry for thermal transformations investigations and dissociation temperature setting. This study suggests that acid quantity and magnetic stirring are the key-factors for Ca/P molar ratio adjustment, hence for the amount of naturally-derived hydroxyapatite. This research also contributes to the development of new strategies for further optimization of the conversion procedure and removal of residual components.

Nanomaterials based on zirconium tungstate (ZrW2O8) exhibit numerous outstanding properties that make them ideal candidates for the development of high-performance composites. Low coefficient of thermal expansion for advanced materials is a promising direction in the field of insulating nanocomposites. However, the agglomeration of zirconium tungstate (ZrW2O8)-based nanomaterials in the polymer matrix is a limiting factor in their successful applications, and studies on surface functionalization ZrW2O8 for advanced nanocomposites are very limited. In this work, ZrW2O8 nano-rods were synthesized using a hydrothermal method and subsequently functionalized in a solvent-free aqueous medium using dopamine. Both pristine and functionalized nano-rods were thoroughly characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy techniques, which confirmed the successful functionalization of the nanomaterials. Polymer nanocomposites were also prepared using epoxy resin as a model matrix. Polymer nanocomposites with functionalized ZrW2O8 nano-rods exhibited low coefficient of thermal expansion and enhanced tensile properties. The improved properties of the nanocomposites render them suitable for electronic applications. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The aim of the present study is to examine the effect of the addition of carbon nanoparticles (σsp2 hybridization) on the mechanical properties of foamed polystyrene. In this work, we focus on the study of the impact of compressive stress, tensile strength, bending strength, thermal conductivity ratio (λ), and water absorption of expanded polystyrene (EPS) reinforced with reduced graphene oxide and graphite. The results were compared with pristine EPS and reduced graphene oxide-reinforced EPS. All the nanocomposite specimens used for testing had a similar density. The study reveals that the nanocomposites exhibit different thermal conductivities and mechanical properties in comparison to pristine EPS. The enhancement in the properties of the nanocomposite could be associated with a more extensive structure of elementary cells of expanded polystyrene granules.