Pub Date : 2025-03-10DOI: 10.1016/j.clce.2025.100163
Nawrin Rahman Shefa , Most. Afroza Khatun , Ahmed Hasnain Jalal , M. Jasim Uddin , Md. Wasikur Rahman
Silver titanate (AgTO) was synthesized via an ion-exchange reaction between sodium titanate and silver nitrate. This study investigates the efficiency of AgTO in the combined adsorption-photodegradation process for removing Methylene Blue (MB). The synthesized material was characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM, and EDX techniques. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to assess the effects of AgTO dosage (0.1–1.0 g/L), initial MB concentration (5–20 mg/L), pH (3–11), and temperature (313–333 K). The highest MB removal efficiency (90 %) was achieved at 313 K, pH 3, and an initial MB concentration of 5 mg/L. The photocatalytic performance of AgTO was further evaluated under an 18-Watt UV light source, confirming its effectiveness in MB degradation. Adsorption followed pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetics, while photodegradation adhered to first-order (FO) kinetics. Thermodynamic analysis indicated that both adsorption and photodegradation were endothermic processes. The Langmuir isotherm model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 5.24 mg/g, provided the best fit for the adsorption data. Overall, as-prepared AgTO exhibited dual-functionality in a combined adsorption-photodegradation system for MB removal, revealing its high efficiency, kinetics, and thermodynamic feasibility, thereby establishing AgTO as a promising candidate for wastewater treatment.
{"title":"Adsorption-photodegradation performance of Silver Titanate for Methylene blue removal: Kinetics, thermodynamics and isotherm studies","authors":"Nawrin Rahman Shefa , Most. Afroza Khatun , Ahmed Hasnain Jalal , M. Jasim Uddin , Md. Wasikur Rahman","doi":"10.1016/j.clce.2025.100163","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clce.2025.100163","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Silver titanate (AgTO) was synthesized via an ion-exchange reaction between sodium titanate and silver nitrate. This study investigates the efficiency of AgTO in the combined adsorption-photodegradation process for removing Methylene Blue (MB). The synthesized material was characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM, and EDX techniques. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to assess the effects of AgTO dosage (0.1–1.0 g/L), initial MB concentration (5–20 mg/L), pH (3–11), and temperature (313–333 K). The highest MB removal efficiency (90 %) was achieved at 313 K, pH 3, and an initial MB concentration of 5 mg/L. The photocatalytic performance of AgTO was further evaluated under an 18-Watt UV light source, confirming its effectiveness in MB degradation. Adsorption followed pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetics, while photodegradation adhered to first-order (FO) kinetics. Thermodynamic analysis indicated that both adsorption and photodegradation were endothermic processes. The Langmuir isotherm model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 5.24 mg/g, provided the best fit for the adsorption data. Overall, as-prepared AgTO exhibited dual-functionality in a combined adsorption-photodegradation system for MB removal, revealing its high efficiency, kinetics, and thermodynamic feasibility, thereby establishing AgTO as a promising candidate for wastewater treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100251,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Chemical Engineering","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100163"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143619661","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-03-03DOI: 10.1016/j.clce.2025.100162
Seetharam Pondala, Sathish Mohan Botsa
Microplastics are pervasive pollutants in soil and water that break down slowly. Microplastics can adsorb other pollutants and have a high stability, long life time, and high fragmentation potential. The widespread presence of microplastics and their possible ecological effects make their removal from the environment a critical issue at the moment. This makes it necessary to find ways to eliminate micro plastics from the water and other media. Here, we go over numerous approaches have been put forth and examined in an effort to tackle this problem. Chemical, physical, and biological techniques are used in removal processes. The primary breakdown of microplastics by bacteria, fungi, algae, and macrophytes is the main function of biological methods. Physical methods include membrane technology, adsorption, centrifugation, sedimentation, and filtration techniques. Chemical techniques contain the plasma treatment, Fenton and photo-Fenton process and thermal degradation. Every technique has benefits and drawbacks, which emphasizes the requirement for integrated strategies catered to various environmental conditions and microplastic kinds. The main topics we covered were the mechanisms, effectiveness, benefits, and drawbacks of different removal techniques.
{"title":"Physical, thermal, chemical and biological approaches for plastics degradation–A review","authors":"Seetharam Pondala, Sathish Mohan Botsa","doi":"10.1016/j.clce.2025.100162","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clce.2025.100162","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microplastics are pervasive pollutants in soil and water that break down slowly. Microplastics can adsorb other pollutants and have a high stability, long life time, and high fragmentation potential. The widespread presence of microplastics and their possible ecological effects make their removal from the environment a critical issue at the moment. This makes it necessary to find ways to eliminate micro plastics from the water and other media. Here, we go over numerous approaches have been put forth and examined in an effort to tackle this problem. Chemical, physical, and biological techniques are used in removal processes. The primary breakdown of microplastics by bacteria, fungi, algae, and macrophytes is the main function of biological methods. Physical methods include membrane technology, adsorption, centrifugation, sedimentation, and filtration techniques. Chemical techniques contain the plasma treatment, Fenton and photo-Fenton process and thermal degradation. Every technique has benefits and drawbacks, which emphasizes the requirement for integrated strategies catered to various environmental conditions and microplastic kinds. The main topics we covered were the mechanisms, effectiveness, benefits, and drawbacks of different removal techniques.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100251,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Chemical Engineering","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100162"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143579864","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-03-02DOI: 10.1016/j.clce.2025.100161
Fatema Tujjohra , Md. Ehsanul Haque , Md. Abdul Kader , Mohammed Mizanur Rahman
This study presents a novel and sustainable approach to the valorization of textile spinning industry waste cotton (WC) through direct pyrolysis, converting it into high-quality biochar with enhanced energy potential and structural stability. This research systematically examines the impact of pyrolysis temperature (300–500°C) on biochar yield, composition, and physicochemical properties to optimize conditions for maximum carbon retention and energy efficiency. The results indicate that biochar yield decreased from Biochar yield decreased from 50.5 % at 300°C to 26.7 % at 500°C, while fixed carbon content increased from 59.33 % to 68.65 %. Elemental analysis revealed a rise in carbon content (53.13 % to 73.62 %) and reductions in oxygen (46.7 % to 13.27 %) and hydrogen (6.06 % to 2.79 %), enhancing thermal stability. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis demonstrated a transition from amorphous cellulose to condensed graphitic carbon at higher temperatures. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) confirmed superior thermal resistance, with biochar retaining 14.7 % of its mass at 800°C. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) revealed key thermal transitions, with the endothermic peak shifting from 65.5°C in raw WC to 79.6°C at 500°C, indicating increased thermal stability. The calorific value peaked at 27.31 MJ/kg at 400°C, making it a promising solid biofuel. Additionally, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis showed a substantial increase in porosity, with the highest specific surface area of 225.24 m2/g at 500°C, improving biochar's potential for adsorption, catalysis, and energy storage. These findings contribute to optimizing pyrolysis conditions for waste cotton valorization, supporting circular economy principles, reducing environmental pollution, and enhancing renewable energy applications. By integrating pyrolysis into textile waste management, this study offers a scalable and eco-friendly strategy for sustainable energy recovery and environmental remediation.
{"title":"Sustainable valorization of textile industry cotton waste through pyrolysis for biochar production","authors":"Fatema Tujjohra , Md. Ehsanul Haque , Md. Abdul Kader , Mohammed Mizanur Rahman","doi":"10.1016/j.clce.2025.100161","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clce.2025.100161","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study presents a novel and sustainable approach to the valorization of textile spinning industry waste cotton (WC) through direct pyrolysis, converting it into high-quality biochar with enhanced energy potential and structural stability. This research systematically examines the impact of pyrolysis temperature (300–500°C) on biochar yield, composition, and physicochemical properties to optimize conditions for maximum carbon retention and energy efficiency. The results indicate that biochar yield decreased from Biochar yield decreased from 50.5 % at 300°C to 26.7 % at 500°C, while fixed carbon content increased from 59.33 % to 68.65 %. Elemental analysis revealed a rise in carbon content (53.13 % to 73.62 %) and reductions in oxygen (46.7 % to 13.27 %) and hydrogen (6.06 % to 2.79 %), enhancing thermal stability. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis demonstrated a transition from amorphous cellulose to condensed graphitic carbon at higher temperatures. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) confirmed superior thermal resistance, with biochar retaining 14.7 % of its mass at 800°C. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) revealed key thermal transitions, with the endothermic peak shifting from 65.5°C in raw WC to 79.6°C at 500°C, indicating increased thermal stability. The calorific value peaked at 27.31 MJ/kg at 400°C, making it a promising solid biofuel. Additionally, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis showed a substantial increase in porosity, with the highest specific surface area of 225.24 m<sup>2</sup>/g at 500°C, improving biochar's potential for adsorption, catalysis, and energy storage. These findings contribute to optimizing pyrolysis conditions for waste cotton valorization, supporting circular economy principles, reducing environmental pollution, and enhancing renewable energy applications. By integrating pyrolysis into textile waste management, this study offers a scalable and eco-friendly strategy for sustainable energy recovery and environmental remediation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100251,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Chemical Engineering","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100161"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143561892","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-03-01DOI: 10.1016/j.clce.2025.100159
Olalekan S. Alade , Jafar S. Ahmad , Ammar Al-Ramadan , Eassa Abdullah , Mohamed Mahmoud
Sustainable oil recovery has become imperative due to environmental and economic concerns. It has also necessitated exploration of plant-based injectants for enhanced chemical oil recovery (CEOR). Date palm ash (DPA) is a waste product from combustion of palm fibers and shells. In this research, injection of DPA solution for CEOR has been proposed due to its high alkalinity. For this purpose, a series of studies including experimental determination of physico-chemical properties as well as thermodynamic modeling and simulation of thermophysical properties have been employed to characterize DPA solutions. Subsequently, numerical modeling and simulation of EOR performance considering DPA-polymer injection was conducted as proof of concept. Experimental results show that DPA contains different elements including Ca, K, Mg, Al, Na, P, S, Cl, and Si, as well as transition metals such as Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn, typical of wood biomass ash. In addition, an alkaline medium (pH: 10 - 13) was obtained from 0.1 - 10 % wt/wt. DPA solution. The thermodynamic simulation and analysis show that the hypothetical DPA solution is characterized by the presence of basic cations (Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, and Na+), hydroxides (CaOH+ and MgOH+), and carbonates (CO32- and HCO3-). Furthermore, pertinent thermophysical properties including osmotic pressure (39.04 - 4469.8 kPa), ionic strength (0.0148 - 1.194 mol/kgw), heat capacity (75.21 - 157.21 kJ/kgmole), and conductivity (1.42 - 125.21 mS/cm) were calculated for the solution. Similarly, the viscosity, density, and molecular weight of the DPA solution (0.1 - 10 % wt/wt.) were found to range between 0.891 to 1.047 cP, 0.9998 to 1.08 g/cm3, and 18.03 to 19.6 g/mol, respectively. Ultimately, the EOR simulation showed that DPA solution could be applied for alkaline assisted polymer flooding to mitigate polymer adsorption and improve oil recovery with overall performance similar to those observed using synthetic caustic (NaOH) injection.
{"title":"Exploring date palm ash for greener enhanced oil recovery: Experimental and simulation studies on thermophysical properties and recovery performance","authors":"Olalekan S. Alade , Jafar S. Ahmad , Ammar Al-Ramadan , Eassa Abdullah , Mohamed Mahmoud","doi":"10.1016/j.clce.2025.100159","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clce.2025.100159","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sustainable oil recovery has become imperative due to environmental and economic concerns. It has also necessitated exploration of plant-based injectants for enhanced chemical oil recovery (CEOR). Date palm ash (DPA) is a waste product from combustion of palm fibers and shells. In this research, injection of DPA solution for CEOR has been proposed due to its high alkalinity. For this purpose, a series of studies including experimental determination of physico-chemical properties as well as thermodynamic modeling and simulation of thermophysical properties have been employed to characterize DPA solutions. Subsequently, numerical modeling and simulation of EOR performance considering DPA-polymer injection was conducted as proof of concept. Experimental results show that DPA contains different elements including Ca, K, Mg, Al, Na, P, S, Cl, and Si, as well as transition metals such as Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn, typical of wood biomass ash. In addition, an alkaline medium (pH: 10 - 13) was obtained from 0.1 - 10 % wt/wt. DPA solution. The thermodynamic simulation and analysis show that the hypothetical DPA solution is characterized by the presence of basic cations (Ca<sup>2+</sup>, K<sup>+</sup>, Mg<sup>2+</sup>, and Na<sup>+</sup>), hydroxides (CaOH<sup>+</sup> and MgOH<sup>+</sup>), and carbonates (CO<sub>3</sub><sup>2-</sup> and HCO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>). Furthermore, pertinent thermophysical properties including osmotic pressure (39.04 - 4469.8 kPa), ionic strength (0.0148 - 1.194 mol/kgw), heat capacity (75.21 - 157.21 kJ/kgmole), and conductivity (1.42 - 125.21 mS/cm) were calculated for the solution. Similarly, the viscosity, density, and molecular weight of the DPA solution (0.1 - 10 % wt/wt.) were found to range between 0.891 to 1.047 cP, 0.9998 to 1.08 g/cm<sup>3</sup>, and 18.03 to 19.6 g/mol, respectively. Ultimately, the EOR simulation showed that DPA solution could be applied for alkaline assisted polymer flooding to mitigate polymer adsorption and improve oil recovery with overall performance similar to those observed using synthetic caustic (NaOH) injection.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100251,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Chemical Engineering","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100159"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143579974","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-28DOI: 10.1016/j.clce.2025.100160
Kasturie Premlall, Lawrence Koech
This study investigated the influence of coal rank, ash content, mineral matter, and maceral composition on the CO2 adsorption capacity of ten distinct South African coal samples. A high-pressure volumetric adsorption system (HPVAS) was utilized to assess CO2 sorption characteristics under supercritical conditions at 35 °C and pressures up to 85 bar. Comprehensive characterization, including proximate and ultimate analysis, petrographic analysis, and density determination, was conducted to understand how these factors influence CO2 adsorption. The findings reveal that higher-rank coals (HRC), particularly those with vitrinite reflectance above 1.2%, demonstrated superior CO2 adsorption capacities, reaching up to 2.17 mmol/g. Medium-rank coals (MRC) with higher inertinite content showed lower adsorption capacities, with the lowest recorded at 0.78 mmol/g, except for the IN coal sample. CO2 adsorption increased with vitrinite reflectance, particularly within the 0.51% to 0.81% range for medium-rank coals. Linear increase in CO2 adsorption capacity was noted as carbon content increased from MRC towards HRC particularly in SM and AN coals. An increase in volatile matter content corresponded with a significant decline in CO2 sorption capacity. Additionally, a negative correlation between ash content, mineral matter, liptinite, inertinite, and CO2 adsorption capacity was evident, likely due to pore obstruction and reduced surface area. Liptinite-rich coals, such as BL, GN, EM, and WG, exhibited decreased adsorption capacity, with BL showing the highest liptinite content at 5.5%. The analysis indicates that while ash content influences sorption capacity, the organic matter, especially vitrinite, serve as the primary sites for gas adsorption. The findings of this study will enhance understanding of the CO₂ adsorption behaviour of South African coals supporting the funding from highly intensive CO₂ emitting industries to enable further research of carbon capture and storage (CCS) pilot projects tailored to regional coal properties.
{"title":"Influence of coal rank, ash, mineral content, and maceral composition on CO2 adsorption in South African coals","authors":"Kasturie Premlall, Lawrence Koech","doi":"10.1016/j.clce.2025.100160","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clce.2025.100160","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigated the influence of coal rank, ash content, mineral matter, and maceral composition on the CO<sub>2</sub> adsorption capacity of ten distinct South African coal samples. A high-pressure volumetric adsorption system (HPVAS) was utilized to assess CO<sub>2</sub> sorption characteristics under supercritical conditions at 35 °C and pressures up to 85 bar. Comprehensive characterization, including proximate and ultimate analysis, petrographic analysis, and density determination, was conducted to understand how these factors influence CO<sub>2</sub> adsorption. The findings reveal that higher-rank coals (HRC), particularly those with vitrinite reflectance above 1.2%, demonstrated superior CO<sub>2</sub> adsorption capacities, reaching up to 2.17 mmol/g. Medium-rank coals (MRC) with higher inertinite content showed lower adsorption capacities, with the lowest recorded at 0.78 mmol/g, except for the IN coal sample. CO<sub>2</sub> adsorption increased with vitrinite reflectance, particularly within the 0.51% to 0.81% range for medium-rank coals. Linear increase in CO<sub>2</sub> adsorption capacity was noted as carbon content increased from MRC towards HRC particularly in SM and AN coals. An increase in volatile matter content corresponded with a significant decline in CO<sub>2</sub> sorption capacity. Additionally, a negative correlation between ash content, mineral matter, liptinite, inertinite, and CO<sub>2</sub> adsorption capacity was evident, likely due to pore obstruction and reduced surface area. Liptinite-rich coals, such as BL, GN, EM, and WG, exhibited decreased adsorption capacity, with BL showing the highest liptinite content at 5.5%. The analysis indicates that while ash content influences sorption capacity, the organic matter, especially vitrinite, serve as the primary sites for gas adsorption. The findings of this study will enhance understanding of the CO₂ adsorption behaviour of South African coals supporting the funding from highly intensive CO₂ emitting industries to enable further research of carbon capture and storage (CCS) pilot projects tailored to regional coal properties.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100251,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Chemical Engineering","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100160"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143552076","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-23DOI: 10.1016/j.clce.2025.100158
A.O. Etim, P. Musonge
Fruit waste resources are expansive carriers of fundamental minerals and chemicals that are useful in energy generation. In this work, the combination of waste avocado and banana fruit peels as an active, environmentally friendly catalyst was studied in the transesterification of Mafura kernel oil (MKO), a non-edible oil with a high FFA content of 5 %. The catalyst was produced by calcining the burnt waste fruit materials at 700 °C. The calcined biochar was further examined for structural, chemical, and thermal properties using scientific instruments such as FT-IR, XRD, SEM, EDS, and DSC-TGA. The results showed that inorganic minerals and carbonates of Sylvite (KCl), calcium phosphate (Ca5(PO4)3), monticellite (K2MgSiO4), and potassium carbonate (K2CO3) were obtained after the calcination, which facilitated the conversion of MKO via a one-step transesterification process. The L9 orthogonal Taguchi design-response surface methodology (RSM-L9OTD) was employed to optimize and statistically characterize the transesterification process. The ideal conditions established for the process variables for the optimum yield were CH3OH: MKO molar ratio of 12:1, catalyst loading of 4.5 wt%, reaction temperature of 65 °C, and time 80 min. The results showed that the Mafura kernel methyl ester (MKOME), which is within the ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 specified standard, was obtained at a confirmatory optimum yield of 96.06 % using the above conditions. Thus, the utilized feedstock offers attractive feasibility to sustainable biodiesel development.
{"title":"The potential of waste avocado–banana fruit peels catalyst in the transesterification of non-edible Mafura kernel oil: Process optimization by Taguchi","authors":"A.O. Etim, P. Musonge","doi":"10.1016/j.clce.2025.100158","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clce.2025.100158","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fruit waste resources are expansive carriers of fundamental minerals and chemicals that are useful in energy generation. In this work, the combination of waste avocado and banana fruit peels as an active, environmentally friendly catalyst was studied in the transesterification of Mafura kernel oil (MKO), a non-edible oil with a high FFA content of 5 %. The catalyst was produced by calcining the burnt waste fruit materials at 700 °C. The calcined biochar was further examined for structural, chemical, and thermal properties using scientific instruments such as FT-IR, XRD, SEM, EDS, and DSC-TGA. The results showed that inorganic minerals and carbonates of Sylvite (KCl), calcium phosphate (Ca<sub>5</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>3</sub>), monticellite (K<sub>2</sub>MgSiO<sub>4</sub>), and potassium carbonate (K<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>) were obtained after the calcination, which facilitated the conversion of MKO via a one-step transesterification process. The L9 orthogonal Taguchi design-response surface methodology (RSM-L9OTD) was employed to optimize and statistically characterize the transesterification process. The ideal conditions established for the process variables for the optimum yield were CH<sub>3</sub>OH: MKO molar ratio of 12:1, catalyst loading of 4.5 wt%, reaction temperature of 65 °C, and time 80 min. The results showed that the Mafura kernel methyl ester (MKOME), which is within the ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 specified standard, was obtained at a confirmatory optimum yield of 96.06 % using the above conditions. Thus, the utilized feedstock offers attractive feasibility to sustainable biodiesel development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100251,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Chemical Engineering","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100158"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143552698","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-19DOI: 10.1016/j.clce.2025.100157
Hasan Ahmed , Md Ashikur Rahaman Noyon , Md. Elias Uddin , Md Mostoba Rafid , Md. Sabbir Hosen , Rama Kanta Layek
The development of biodegradable bioplastic packaging is essential for reducing environmental pollution and minimizing non-biodegradable waste accumulation. In this study, a biodegradable plastic film was fabricated by blending polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), chitosan (CS) derived from shrimp shells, and gelatin (GE) in a 6:2:2 ratio. Crosslinked chitosan and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) at a 95:5 ratio was incorporated into the matrix, and the bioplastic film was produced via a simple solution casting method. The developed composite underwent extensive characterization, including FTIR, UV–Vis, TGA, XRD, and SEM analyses. Results indicated high thermal stability and homogeneity, as confirmed by TGA and SEM. The bioplastic exhibited superior mechanical properties, with a tensile strength of 64.68 MPa and an elongation at break of 25.38 %, along with optimal density, thickness, water absorption, and a suitable melting point. Biodegradation studies showed 80.92 % degradation in two months by soil microbes, and biotoxicity tests confirmed its safety for crops (rice seeds). Additionally, the bioplastic, containing 15.2 % chitosan, demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, highlighting its potential as a sustainable alternative for food packaging. This study presents a promising bioplastic film with the potential to replace conventional non-biodegradable packaging while enhancing food safety through its antibacterial properties.
{"title":"Development and characterization of chitosan-based antimicrobial films: A sustainable alternative to plastic packaging","authors":"Hasan Ahmed , Md Ashikur Rahaman Noyon , Md. Elias Uddin , Md Mostoba Rafid , Md. Sabbir Hosen , Rama Kanta Layek","doi":"10.1016/j.clce.2025.100157","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clce.2025.100157","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The development of biodegradable bioplastic packaging is essential for reducing environmental pollution and minimizing non-biodegradable waste accumulation. In this study, a biodegradable plastic film was fabricated by blending polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), chitosan (CS) derived from shrimp shells, and gelatin (GE) in a 6:2:2 ratio. Crosslinked chitosan and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) at a 95:5 ratio was incorporated into the matrix, and the bioplastic film was produced via a simple solution casting method. The developed composite underwent extensive characterization, including FTIR, UV–Vis, TGA, XRD, and SEM analyses. Results indicated high thermal stability and homogeneity, as confirmed by TGA and SEM. The bioplastic exhibited superior mechanical properties, with a tensile strength of 64.68 MPa and an elongation at break of 25.38 %, along with optimal density, thickness, water absorption, and a suitable melting point. Biodegradation studies showed 80.92 % degradation in two months by soil microbes, and biotoxicity tests confirmed its safety for crops (rice seeds). Additionally, the bioplastic, containing 15.2 % chitosan, demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, highlighting its potential as a sustainable alternative for food packaging. This study presents a promising bioplastic film with the potential to replace conventional non-biodegradable packaging while enhancing food safety through its antibacterial properties.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100251,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Chemical Engineering","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100157"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143487055","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-13DOI: 10.1016/j.clce.2025.100155
Andrew K. Gillespie , Adam D. Smith , Sean Sweeny , Mark Sweeny , Zeke A. Piskulich , Ernest Knight , Matthew Prosniewski , Samantha M. Gillespie , David Stalla
Nanoporous activated carbon materials were prepared from biowaste (spent coffee grounds) as a renewable and practical system for enhanced hydrogen storage at room temperature. Chemical charring and activation with potassium hydroxide (KOH) were performed to expand the pore network, increase the specific surface area, and improve the volumetric storage capacity. These materials were characterized using helium pycnometry, nitrogen adsorption, hydrogen adsorption, and scanning electron microscopy. The activation procedure resulted in a bimodal pore size distribution and a large fraction of nanopores of 7 Å pore widths that are optimal for hydrogen storage. Specific surface areas of 2595 m2/g were achieved with a crystalline volumetric storage capacity of 9.84 g/L at room temperature and 100 bar. This corresponds to an energy density around 1.18 MJ/L, which is a 28% improvement over compressed gas alone. This biowaste-derived material has the same volumetric storage capacity as the commercially available, petroleum-derived adsorbent, Maxsorb (MSC-30) produced by Kansai Coke. This demonstrates that reversible, physical adsorption of hydrogen on materials produced from biowaste may be used as a more ecologically friendly improvement for renewable energy storage. A similar performance can be achieved by engineering a range of biowaste-based adsorbent materials that involve cleaner precursors compared to the petroleum-based adsorbent materials currently offered on the market.
{"title":"Biowaste-derived activated carbon from spent coffee grounds for volumetric hydrogen storage","authors":"Andrew K. Gillespie , Adam D. Smith , Sean Sweeny , Mark Sweeny , Zeke A. Piskulich , Ernest Knight , Matthew Prosniewski , Samantha M. Gillespie , David Stalla","doi":"10.1016/j.clce.2025.100155","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clce.2025.100155","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nanoporous activated carbon materials were prepared from biowaste (spent coffee grounds) as a renewable and practical system for enhanced hydrogen storage at room temperature. Chemical charring and activation with potassium hydroxide (KOH) were performed to expand the pore network, increase the specific surface area, and improve the volumetric storage capacity. These materials were characterized using helium pycnometry, nitrogen adsorption, hydrogen adsorption, and scanning electron microscopy. The activation procedure resulted in a bimodal pore size distribution and a large fraction of nanopores of 7 Å pore widths that are optimal for hydrogen storage. Specific surface areas of 2595 m<sup>2</sup>/g were achieved with a crystalline volumetric storage capacity of 9.84 g/L at room temperature and 100 bar. This corresponds to an energy density around 1.18 MJ/L, which is a 28% improvement over compressed gas alone. This biowaste-derived material has the same volumetric storage capacity as the commercially available, petroleum-derived adsorbent, Maxsorb (MSC-30) produced by Kansai Coke. This demonstrates that reversible, physical adsorption of hydrogen on materials produced from biowaste may be used as a more ecologically friendly improvement for renewable energy storage. A similar performance can be achieved by engineering a range of biowaste-based adsorbent materials that involve cleaner precursors compared to the petroleum-based adsorbent materials currently offered on the market.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100251,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Chemical Engineering","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100155"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143611140","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The discharge of unprocessed tannery wastewater is a major environmental concern. It contains harmful chemicals and metals, especially chromium. This study explored the chromium adsorption on the thermally activated kitchen biowaste adsorbent (TAKBWA) from the tannery effluent. Before and after treatment, the TAKBWA were characterized through SEM, FT-IR, EDS, and pHpzc. In a batch test at optimal conditions, chromium removal was achieved at 99.92 % with an adsorbent dose of 1.2 g per 50 mL wastewater, a stirring time of 10 min, and a relative pH of 7.9. The pHpzc indicates the adsorption worked on the positive surface of TAKBWA. The adsorption was well fitted for the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Freundlich isotherm. The thermodynamic studies ensured that adsorption was chemically regulated, spontaneous, and exothermic. The adsorption reaction was chemisorption with a greater adsorbent-adsorbate (chromium) interaction. A reduction of biochemical oxygen demand (46.0 %), chemical oxygen demand (13.5 %), and chloride (20.1 %) of the tannery effluent was achieved. Hence, TAKBWA can be considered to treat the tannery wastewater, especially chromium removal before discharge to the environment.
{"title":"Thermally activated adsorbent derived from kitchen biowaste for treatment of tannery wastewater","authors":"Md. Abul Hashem, Syeda Fariha Rahman, Sasbir Rahman Sium, Modinatul Maoya, Md. Mukimujjaman Miem, Afsana Akther Mimi, Md. Enamul Hasan Zahin","doi":"10.1016/j.clce.2025.100156","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clce.2025.100156","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The discharge of unprocessed tannery wastewater is a major environmental concern. It contains harmful chemicals and metals, especially chromium. This study explored the chromium adsorption on the thermally activated kitchen biowaste adsorbent (TAKBWA) from the tannery effluent. Before and after treatment, the TAKBWA were characterized through SEM, FT-IR, EDS, and pHpzc. In a batch test at optimal conditions, chromium removal was achieved at 99.92 % with an adsorbent dose of 1.2 g per 50 mL wastewater, a stirring time of 10 min, and a relative pH of 7.9. The pHpzc indicates the adsorption worked on the positive surface of TAKBWA. The adsorption was well fitted for the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Freundlich isotherm. The thermodynamic studies ensured that adsorption was chemically regulated, spontaneous, and exothermic. The adsorption reaction was chemisorption with a greater adsorbent-adsorbate (chromium) interaction. A reduction of biochemical oxygen demand (46.0 %), chemical oxygen demand (13.5 %), and chloride (20.1 %) of the tannery effluent was achieved. Hence, TAKBWA can be considered to treat the tannery wastewater, especially chromium removal before discharge to the environment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100251,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Chemical Engineering","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100156"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143420227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study seeks to repurpose soybean biowaste by activating and pyrolyzing it, resulting in phosphoric acid-treated soybean biochar (PTSB). The novelty of this approach lies in its ability to effectively remove both aqueous and gaseous pollutants, making it a versatile solution for environmental remediation. By transforming agricultural waste into a high-value material, this method not only promotes sustainability but also offers a dual-purpose adsorbent capable of addressing a broader range of contaminants than traditional adsorbents. This innovative process represents a significant advancement in both waste valorization and pollution control. With a substantial surface area of 289.82 m² g⁻¹, this carbonized biochar effectively adsorbs ofloxacin (OFX) from water and captures CO₂ in its gaseous form. Characterization of PTSB was conducted using various techniques. Batch adsorption experiments were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM), resulting in over 95 % adsorption efficiency. Isotherm and kinetics studies indicated that the adsorption process adheres to Langmuir adsorption isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics. Notably, a significant observation was made regarding the increase in adsorption with rising temperature. The maximum adsorption capacities (qm) at temperatures of 303 K, 313 K, and 323 K were determined to be 96.83 mg g−1, 147.56 mg g−1, and 201.82 mg g−1, respectively, as derived from the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Examination of CO2 sequestration at various temperatures demonstrated highest adsorption recorded at 273 K, reaching 49.96 mL g−1. Furthermore, Qst values for CO2 removal were consistently below 40 kJ mol−1, indicating a physisorption process. Furthermore, mathematical modeling techniques were applied to forecast the OFX breakthrough curve and assess various removal approaches. The results of this research aid in the advancement of efficient remediation techniques aimed at reducing the environmental repercussions of OFX contamination. The study investigated the regeneration of PTSB and the degradation of OFX using reagents, UV, and gamma radiation.
{"title":"Soybean biochar as highly efficient adsorbent for ofloxacin from aqueous and CO2 from gaseous phase: Mathematical modelling and regeneration studies","authors":"Vaishnavi Gomase , Tejaswini Rathi , Aparna Muley , D. Saravanan , Ravin Jugade","doi":"10.1016/j.clce.2025.100154","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clce.2025.100154","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study seeks to repurpose soybean biowaste by activating and pyrolyzing it, resulting in phosphoric acid-treated soybean biochar (PTSB). The novelty of this approach lies in its ability to effectively remove both aqueous and gaseous pollutants, making it a versatile solution for environmental remediation. By transforming agricultural waste into a high-value material, this method not only promotes sustainability but also offers a dual-purpose adsorbent capable of addressing a broader range of contaminants than traditional adsorbents. This innovative process represents a significant advancement in both waste valorization and pollution control. With a substantial surface area of 289.82 m² g⁻¹, this carbonized biochar effectively adsorbs ofloxacin (OFX) from water and captures CO₂ in its gaseous form. Characterization of PTSB was conducted using various techniques. Batch adsorption experiments were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM), resulting in over 95 % adsorption efficiency. Isotherm and kinetics studies indicated that the adsorption process adheres to Langmuir adsorption isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics. Notably, a significant observation was made regarding the increase in adsorption with rising temperature. The maximum adsorption capacities (q<sub>m</sub>) at temperatures of 303 K, 313 K, and 323 K were determined to be 96.83 mg g<sup>−1</sup>, 147.56 mg g<sup>−1</sup>, and 201.82 mg g<sup>−1</sup>, respectively, as derived from the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Examination of CO<sub>2</sub> sequestration at various temperatures demonstrated highest adsorption recorded at 273 K, reaching 49.96 mL g<sup>−1</sup>. Furthermore, Q<sub>st</sub> values for CO<sub>2</sub> removal were consistently below 40 kJ mol<sup>−1</sup>, indicating a physisorption process. Furthermore, mathematical modeling techniques were applied to forecast the OFX breakthrough curve and assess various removal approaches. The results of this research aid in the advancement of efficient remediation techniques aimed at reducing the environmental repercussions of OFX contamination. The study investigated the regeneration of PTSB and the degradation of OFX using reagents, UV, and gamma radiation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100251,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Chemical Engineering","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100154"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143351015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}