Pub Date : 2026-01-24DOI: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101317
Senay Balbay
In the study, 4 g of ground olive pomace was mixed with resins at a 1:1 SAC:VAC ratio using SENAY process which is the new green method, and cured under normal conditions. Open-pore (97 % porosity) carbon foam which is a technological product was obtained by calcining at 500 °C for 30 min. The carbon foams were systematically characterized using High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy (HR-SEM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM), X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FT-IR) and Raman Spectroscopy to evaluate their properties. The density, strength and tensile rates of carbon foams produced at a 1:1 SAC:VAC ratio are 0.185 g/cm3, 19.5 MPa and 33.27 %, respectively. As VAC ratio increased, the density of carbon foams decreased. It was determined that SAC resin supported pore formation in the carbon foam production process. The carbon footprint of carbon foam in LCA was determined 7.3898 kg CO2eq./ton. A new area of use has been set forth for the carbon foam production which a technological product of the pomace which cannot be used for agricultural purposes, has negative effects on the environment and can only be used in very limited areas. Simultaneously, this study supports the realization of sustainable development goals by highlighting SDG8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
本研究将4 g磨碎的橄榄渣与树脂按1:1的SAC:VAC比例混合,采用绿色新方法SENAY工艺,在正常条件下进行固化。在500 ℃下煅烧30 min,制得孔隙率为97 %的开孔泡沫炭。采用高分辨率扫描电镜(HR-SEM)、高分辨率透射电镜(HR-TEM)、x射线光电子能谱(XPS)、傅里叶变换红外光谱(FT-IR)和拉曼光谱对泡沫碳进行了系统表征。SAC:VAC比为1:1时,泡沫炭的密度、强度和拉伸率分别为0.185 g/cm3、19.5 MPa和33.27 %。随着真空比的增大,泡沫碳的密度减小。确定了SAC树脂在泡沫炭生产过程中对孔隙形成的支持作用。LCA中碳泡沫的碳足迹为7.3898 kg co2当量/吨。泡沫炭是一种不能用于农业用途的技术产品,对环境有负面影响,只能在非常有限的地区使用,这为泡沫炭的生产提出了新的使用领域。同时,本研究通过强调可持续发展目标8(体面劳动和经济增长)、可持续发展目标9(工业、创新和基础设施)和可持续发展目标12(负责任的消费和生产)来支持可持续发展目标的实现。
{"title":"Life cycle analysis of carbon foam production from olive pomace by new green process","authors":"Senay Balbay","doi":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101317","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101317","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the study, 4 g of ground olive pomace was mixed with resins at a 1:1 SAC:VAC ratio using SENAY process which is the new green method, and cured under normal conditions. Open-pore (97 % porosity) carbon foam which is a technological product was obtained by calcining at 500 °C for 30 min. The carbon foams were systematically characterized using High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy (HR-SEM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM), X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FT-IR) and Raman Spectroscopy to evaluate their properties. The density, strength and tensile rates of carbon foams produced at a 1:1 SAC:VAC ratio are 0.185 g/cm<sup>3</sup>, 19.5 MPa and 33.27 %, respectively. As VAC ratio increased, the density of carbon foams decreased. It was determined that SAC resin supported pore formation in the carbon foam production process. The carbon footprint of carbon foam in LCA was determined 7.3898 kg CO<sub>2</sub>eq./ton. A new area of use has been set forth for the carbon foam production which a technological product of the pomace which cannot be used for agricultural purposes, has negative effects on the environment and can only be used in very limited areas. Simultaneously, this study supports the realization of sustainable development goals by highlighting SDG8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18322,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Sustainability","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 101317"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077816","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101315
Yali Yu , Yan Liu , Yongfeng Zhu , Bin Mu , Xicun Wang , Aiqin Wang
Incorporating inorganic components into a polymer matrix represents an effective strategy for enhancing the performance of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), with the final properties largely determined by the strength of the interaction between the incorporated components and the polymer matrix. In this study, a novel composite SAP was successfully prepared using coal gasification slag (CGFS), a mesoporous material derived from gasification processes, as a functional filler. Prior to composite formation, the CGFS was subjected to a low-temperature calcination at 300 °C under a nitrogen atmosphere to eliminate adsorbed water, thereby improving its interfacial compatibility with the polymer matrix. This preservation of the micro-mesoporous structure during the polymerization process served as active sites for initiator decomposition, significantly enhancing the interfacial interaction between the CGFS and polymeric matrix. The resulting SAP demonstrated water absorption capacities of 403.9 g/g and 72.4 g/g in distilled water and 0.9 wt% NaCl solution, respectively. Pot experiments further validated the excellent water-retention properties of the SAP in soil. This study not only achieved high-value utilization of waste resources through physical activation of CGFS, but also provided a promising approach for the development of high-performance SAP for agricultural applications.
{"title":"Superabsorbent incorporating coal gasification fine slag for enhanced water absorption","authors":"Yali Yu , Yan Liu , Yongfeng Zhu , Bin Mu , Xicun Wang , Aiqin Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101315","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101315","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Incorporating inorganic components into a polymer matrix represents an effective strategy for enhancing the performance of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), with the final properties largely determined by the strength of the interaction between the incorporated components and the polymer matrix. In this study, a novel composite SAP was successfully prepared using coal gasification slag (CGFS), a mesoporous material derived from gasification processes, as a functional filler. Prior to composite formation, the CGFS was subjected to a low-temperature calcination at 300 °C under a nitrogen atmosphere to eliminate adsorbed water, thereby improving its interfacial compatibility with the polymer matrix. This preservation of the micro-mesoporous structure during the polymerization process served as active sites for initiator decomposition, significantly enhancing the interfacial interaction between the CGFS and polymeric matrix. The resulting SAP demonstrated water absorption capacities of 403.9 g/g and 72.4 g/g in distilled water and 0.9 wt% NaCl solution, respectively. Pot experiments further validated the excellent water-retention properties of the SAP in soil. This study not only achieved high-value utilization of waste resources through physical activation of CGFS, but also provided a promising approach for the development of high-performance SAP for agricultural applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18322,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Sustainability","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 101315"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077953","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-21DOI: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101308
Amira S. Diab , Ahmed A. Allam , Hassan A. Rudayni , Mostafa R. Abukhadra
The widespread presence of sulfate (SO42−) in natural and industrial waters poses serious environmental and engineering challenges, including ecological degradation, scaling, and infrastructure corrosion. Conventional treatment methods such as chemical precipitation, ion exchange, biological reduction, and membrane separation are often limited by high energy consumption, secondary waste generation, or poor cost-effectiveness. Zeolites, crystalline aluminosilicates with highly ordered frameworks and ion-exchange capacity, have emerged as promising candidates for sulfate remediation. This review provides a critical assessment of natural, synthetic, and modified zeolites, with particular emphasis on how structural features and modification strategies influence adsorption performance. Surface modifications—such as cation exchange, acid activation, metal incorporation, and surfactant functionalization—are shown to significantly enhance sulfate affinity, stability, and reusability compared with raw zeolites. Mechanistic insights into ion exchange, electrostatic attraction, and surface complexation are systematically correlated with framework topology, pore dimensionality, and Si/Al ratios. Current challenges include regeneration efficiency, long-term structural stability under realistic wastewater conditions, and cost of large-scale synthesis and modification. Future directions highlight the importance of green synthesis approaches, the design of hybrid zeolite composites, and multifunctional zeolite-based platforms capable of simultaneously targeting anionic, cationic, and organic pollutants. By integrating structural chemistry with environmental engineering, this review establishes zeolites and their modified derivatives as sustainable and scalable materials for advanced sulfate remediation in water and wastewater systems.
{"title":"Zeolite-based materials for sulfate remediation: A review of structure–function insights, modification strategies, and sustainable water treatment applications","authors":"Amira S. Diab , Ahmed A. Allam , Hassan A. Rudayni , Mostafa R. Abukhadra","doi":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101308","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101308","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The widespread presence of sulfate (SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2−</sup>) in natural and industrial waters poses serious environmental and engineering challenges, including ecological degradation, scaling, and infrastructure corrosion. Conventional treatment methods such as chemical precipitation, ion exchange, biological reduction, and membrane separation are often limited by high energy consumption, secondary waste generation, or poor cost-effectiveness. Zeolites, crystalline aluminosilicates with highly ordered frameworks and ion-exchange capacity, have emerged as promising candidates for sulfate remediation. This review provides a critical assessment of natural, synthetic, and modified zeolites, with particular emphasis on how structural features and modification strategies influence adsorption performance. Surface modifications—such as cation exchange, acid activation, metal incorporation, and surfactant functionalization—are shown to significantly enhance sulfate affinity, stability, and reusability compared with raw zeolites. Mechanistic insights into ion exchange, electrostatic attraction, and surface complexation are systematically correlated with framework topology, pore dimensionality, and Si/Al ratios. Current challenges include regeneration efficiency, long-term structural stability under realistic wastewater conditions, and cost of large-scale synthesis and modification. Future directions highlight the importance of green synthesis approaches, the design of hybrid zeolite composites, and multifunctional zeolite-based platforms capable of simultaneously targeting anionic, cationic, and organic pollutants. By integrating structural chemistry with environmental engineering, this review establishes zeolites and their modified derivatives as sustainable and scalable materials for advanced sulfate remediation in water and wastewater systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18322,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Sustainability","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 101308"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146022605","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-20DOI: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101311
Mohd Shkir , Mohd Taukeer Khan , S. AlFaify , Ashwani Kumar , R. Marnadu , Sambasivam Sangaraju
This study systematically investigates the effect of cerium (Ce) doping on the photocatalytic performance of nickel oxide (NiO) under visible light irradiation. The introduction of Ce3+/Ce4+ ions into the NiO lattice induces lattice strain and generates oxygen vacancies, thereby enhancing charge separation and visible-light absorption. These defects promote the generation of reactive oxygen species (O2•- and •OH), which drive the degradation of organic pollutants. Structural, optical, and electronic analyses of NiO doped with 1 %, 3 %, and 5 % Ce highlight the key role of the Ce3+/Ce4+ redox couple in facilitating thermally assisted polaronic hopping and improving charge transport. Notably, Ce-NiO-3 % showed higher surface area of 114.4 m2g-1 than pure NiO. Among all samples, Ce–NiO-3 % showed the best photocatalytic activity, degrading over 95 % of methylene blue within 90 min. The enhanced activity arises from the synergistic effects of bandgap narrowing, defect engineering, and redox-mediated ROS generation. This work provides valuable insights for designing efficient, defect-engineered Ce–NiO photocatalysts for environmental remediation.
{"title":"Oxygen vacancy engineering and synergistic effects of Ce-doping in NiO octahedra for enhanced photodegradation of organic and antibiotic pollutants","authors":"Mohd Shkir , Mohd Taukeer Khan , S. AlFaify , Ashwani Kumar , R. Marnadu , Sambasivam Sangaraju","doi":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101311","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101311","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study systematically investigates the effect of cerium (Ce) doping on the photocatalytic performance of nickel oxide (NiO) under visible light irradiation. The introduction of Ce<sup>3+</sup>/Ce<sup>4+</sup> ions into the NiO lattice induces lattice strain and generates oxygen vacancies, thereby enhancing charge separation and visible-light absorption. These defects promote the generation of reactive oxygen species (O<sub>2</sub>•<sup>-</sup> and •OH), which drive the degradation of organic pollutants. Structural, optical, and electronic analyses of NiO doped with 1 %, 3 %, and 5 % Ce highlight the key role of the Ce<sup>3+</sup>/Ce<sup>4+</sup> redox couple in facilitating thermally assisted polaronic hopping and improving charge transport. Notably, Ce-NiO-3 % showed higher surface area of 114.4 m<sup>2</sup>g<sup>-1</sup> than pure NiO. Among all samples, Ce–NiO-3 % showed the best photocatalytic activity, degrading over 95 % of methylene blue within 90 min. The enhanced activity arises from the synergistic effects of bandgap narrowing, defect engineering, and redox-mediated ROS generation. This work provides valuable insights for designing efficient, defect-engineered Ce–NiO photocatalysts for environmental remediation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18322,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Sustainability","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 101311"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077849","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-17DOI: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101310
Vanessa O. Castro , Bastian Zötzl , Maik Förste , Laura Hohlfeld , Susann Rabe , Claudia Merlini , Katja Heise
The demand for sustainable materials has increased the need for benign solvent systems in polymer processing technologies. In the field of electrospinning, the selection of the solvent system is critical not only for determining the final material properties but also for improving the overall sustainability of the fiber production process. Cellulose acetate (CA) electrospinning typically relies on hazardous or non-green solvents, limiting its sustainable processing. In this study, we present a sustainable approach for electrospinning of CA, by identifying and validating a green binary solvent system based on dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). CA solutions were prepared using DMC/DMSO (w/w) ratios of 100/0, 83/17, 80/20, 75/25, 67/33 and 50/50, and the influence of the solvent composition on solution processability and fiber properties was studied. By tuning the solvent ratio, the fiber diameter, surface morphology and mechanical performance could be modified. Higher contents of the more volatile solvent (DMC) led to porous fiber surfaces, while increasing amounts of DMSO led to smooth fiber surfaces. In addition, the mechanical properties of the electrospun fiber mats were strongly dependent on the solvent composition. Overall, this study provides a new and sustainable approach to green electrospinning of CA, establishing DMC/DMSO as an effective binary solvent system for producing CA fibers with adaptable properties for various eco-friendly applications.
{"title":"A green binary solvent for the electrospinning of cellulose acetate","authors":"Vanessa O. Castro , Bastian Zötzl , Maik Förste , Laura Hohlfeld , Susann Rabe , Claudia Merlini , Katja Heise","doi":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101310","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101310","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The demand for sustainable materials has increased the need for benign solvent systems in polymer processing technologies. In the field of electrospinning, the selection of the solvent system is critical not only for determining the final material properties but also for improving the overall sustainability of the fiber production process. Cellulose acetate (CA) electrospinning typically relies on hazardous or non-green solvents, limiting its sustainable processing. In this study, we present a sustainable approach for electrospinning of CA, by identifying and validating a green binary solvent system based on dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). CA solutions were prepared using DMC/DMSO (w/w) ratios of 100/0, 83/17, 80/20, 75/25, 67/33 and 50/50, and the influence of the solvent composition on solution processability and fiber properties was studied. By tuning the solvent ratio, the fiber diameter, surface morphology and mechanical performance could be modified. Higher contents of the more volatile solvent (DMC) led to porous fiber surfaces, while increasing amounts of DMSO led to smooth fiber surfaces. In addition, the mechanical properties of the electrospun fiber mats were strongly dependent on the solvent composition. Overall, this study provides a new and sustainable approach to green electrospinning of CA, establishing DMC/DMSO as an effective binary solvent system for producing CA fibers with adaptable properties for various eco-friendly applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18322,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Sustainability","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 101310"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146022601","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-17DOI: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101313
N.K. Ramogale, N. Mamba, B.S. Mbuli, S.P. Malinga
Biocatalytic membranes have emerged as a sustainable approach for removing and degrading detrimental pollutants from water. This research introduces a uniquely engineered biocatalytic PA-TFC membrane synthesised through in-situ incorporation of an MWCNTs/laccase nanocomposite, offering a new integration strategy that enhances catalytic stability, membrane performance, and pollutant degradation. The study distinguishes itself by demonstrating simultaneous removal and enzymatic degradation of PFOA, supported by multi-technique characterisation and superior functional metrics compared to conventional membranes. The Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Infra-Red spectroscopy confirmed the successful synthesis of modified PA-TFC membranes, revealing the presence of an amide band at 1610 cm−1, which is a characteristic of the polyamide thin film layer. Additionally, the scanning electron microscopy and correlative light electron microscopy showed green fluorescence under confocal microscopy, validating the presence of laccase enzyme aggregates. The modified PA-TFC membranes exhibited enhanced hydrophilicity, as evidenced by reduced water contact angle of 42.07° ± 6.89 and high-water flux of 37.40 ± 1.07 L m−2 h−1. Conversely, the pristine PA-TFC exhibited low hydrophilicity, characterised by an elevated contact angle of 54.42° ± 6.89° and a reduced water flux of up to 9.36 ± 9.36 L m−2 h−1. This was accompanied by enhanced antifouling properties of the modified membranes, with a flux recovery ratio of over 80 %, compared to 72.55 % for the unmodified membrane. Furthermore, the modified membranes achieved the perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) removal efficiencies of 65.33 % ± 3.52, whereas the unmodified membranes exhibited the removal of 55.06 % ± 0.80. Perfluorooctanoic acid was degraded into less toxic by-products such as perfluorohexanoic acid, perfluoroheptanoic acid, perfluorobutanoic acid, and formic acid. The in-situ modified MWCNTs/laccase-PA-TFC membranes exhibited enhanced efficacy compared to other conventional biocatalytic membranes, highlighting their potential in advancing sustainable water treatment applications due to their self-cleaning properties and longevity in degrading the PFOA contaminant.
生物催化膜已成为去除和降解水中有害污染物的一种可持续方法。本研究介绍了一种独特的工程生物催化PA-TFC膜,通过原位掺入MWCNTs/漆酶纳米复合材料合成,提供了一种新的集成策略,提高了催化稳定性、膜性能和污染物降解能力。该研究通过展示PFOA的同时去除和酶降解而脱颖而出,与传统膜相比,该研究得到了多技术表征和优越功能指标的支持。衰减全反射傅里叶红外光谱证实了改性PA-TFC膜的成功合成,发现在1610 cm−1处存在酰胺带,这是聚酰胺薄膜层的特征。此外,扫描电镜和相关光电子显微镜在共聚焦显微镜下显示绿色荧光,证实了漆酶酶聚集物的存在。改性后的PA-TFC膜亲水性增强,水接触角减小42.07° ± 6.89,水通量增大37.40 ± 1.07 L m−2 h−1。相反,原始PA-TFC表现出较低的亲水性,其特征是接触角升高54.42° ± 6.89°,水通量降低至9.36 ± 9.36 L m−2 h−1。与未改性膜的72.55 %相比,改性膜的抗污性能增强,通量回收率超过80 %。此外,改性膜的全氟辛酸(PFOA)去除率为65.33 % ± 3.52,而未改性膜的去除率为55.06 % ± 0.80。全氟辛酸被降解为毒性较小的副产物,如全氟己酸、全氟庚酸、全氟丁酸和甲酸。与其他传统生物催化膜相比,原位改性MWCNTs/漆酶- pa - tfc膜表现出更强的效能,由于其自清洁特性和降解PFOA污染物的寿命,突出了其在推进可持续水处理应用方面的潜力。
{"title":"Biocatalytic degradation of perfluoroalkyl substances from water using multi-walled carbon nanotube/laccase polyamide thin film nanocomposite membranes","authors":"N.K. Ramogale, N. Mamba, B.S. Mbuli, S.P. Malinga","doi":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101313","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101313","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biocatalytic membranes have emerged as a sustainable approach for removing and degrading detrimental pollutants from water. This research introduces a uniquely engineered biocatalytic PA-TFC membrane synthesised through <em>in-situ</em> incorporation of an MWCNTs/laccase nanocomposite, offering a new integration strategy that enhances catalytic stability, membrane performance, and pollutant degradation. The study distinguishes itself by demonstrating simultaneous removal and enzymatic degradation of PFOA, supported by multi-technique characterisation and superior functional metrics compared to conventional membranes. The Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Infra-Red spectroscopy confirmed the successful synthesis of modified PA-TFC membranes, revealing the presence of an amide band at 1610 cm<sup>−1</sup>, which is a characteristic of the polyamide thin film layer. Additionally, the scanning electron microscopy and correlative light electron microscopy showed green fluorescence under confocal microscopy, validating the presence of laccase enzyme aggregates. The modified PA-TFC membranes exhibited enhanced hydrophilicity, as evidenced by reduced water contact angle of 42.07° ± 6.89 and high-water flux of 37.40 ± 1.07 L m<sup>−2</sup> h<sup>−1</sup>. Conversely, the pristine PA-TFC exhibited low hydrophilicity, characterised by an elevated contact angle of 54.42° ± 6.89° and a reduced water flux of up to 9.36 ± 9.36 L m<sup>−2</sup> h<sup>−1</sup>. This was accompanied by enhanced antifouling properties of the modified membranes, with a flux recovery ratio of over 80 %, compared to 72.55 % for the unmodified membrane. Furthermore, the modified membranes achieved the perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) removal efficiencies of 65.33 % ± 3.52, whereas the unmodified membranes exhibited the removal of 55.06 % ± 0.80. Perfluorooctanoic acid was degraded into less toxic by-products such as perfluorohexanoic acid, perfluoroheptanoic acid, perfluorobutanoic acid, and formic acid. The in-situ modified MWCNTs/laccase-PA-TFC membranes exhibited enhanced efficacy compared to other conventional biocatalytic membranes, highlighting their potential in advancing sustainable water treatment applications due to their self-cleaning properties and longevity in degrading the PFOA contaminant.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18322,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Sustainability","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 101313"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146022604","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-17DOI: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101309
Ali Alomari , Heryanto Heryanto , Dahlang Tahir , Muh Ade Artasasta , Ahmed Akouibaa , Abdelillah Akouibaa , Mohammad I. Abualsayed , Yasser Maghrbi
The growing use of X-rays requires the advancement of radiation protection materials to mitigate the negative effects associated with X-ray exposure. Here, cellulose-based composites were successfully developed with metal (Fe and Cu) as filler, and PVA as an adhesive via sol-gel methods. The enhanced performance of the samples in X-ray shielding was supported by changes in structural-optical properties, such as a high crystallinity index, reduced crystallite size, and broadened phonon modes. The findings in this study show that the 30Fe-70Cu@Cel sample has the highest ability to reduce X-ray radiation, where the performance is attributed to the increase in distance , the increase in peaks in , and higher ELF. The enhanced results of LAC and MAC obtained were (0.33 ± 0.01) cm−1 and (1.02 ± 0.02) cm2/g, respectively, at 80 keV X-ray energy with a thickness of (0.108 ± 0.01) cm. Additionally, the experimental calculation results were compared with the theoretical calculation using the XCOM database, demonstrating a strong agreement. Based on the results obtained, cellulose fibers loaded with Fe and Cu could be a material that is effective in X-ray shielding, lightweight, flexible, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly.
{"title":"Radiation shielding properties of Fe-Cu@cellulose composites synthesised via sol-gel method for sustainable X-ray protection","authors":"Ali Alomari , Heryanto Heryanto , Dahlang Tahir , Muh Ade Artasasta , Ahmed Akouibaa , Abdelillah Akouibaa , Mohammad I. Abualsayed , Yasser Maghrbi","doi":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101309","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101309","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The growing use of X-rays requires the advancement of radiation protection materials to mitigate the negative effects associated with X-ray exposure. Here, cellulose-based composites were successfully developed with metal (Fe and Cu) as filler, and PVA as an adhesive via sol-gel methods. The enhanced performance of the samples in X-ray shielding was supported by changes in structural-optical properties, such as a high crystallinity index, reduced crystallite size, and broadened phonon modes. The findings in this study show that the 30Fe-70Cu@Cel sample has the highest ability to reduce X-ray radiation, where the performance is attributed to the increase in distance <span><math><mrow><mo>Δ</mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mi>L</mi><mi>O</mi><mo>−</mo><mi>T</mi><mi>O</mi></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></math></span>, the increase in peaks in <span><math><mrow><msub><mi>ε</mi><mn>2</mn></msub></mrow></math></span>, and higher ELF. The enhanced results of LAC and MAC obtained were (0.33 ± 0.01) cm<sup>−1</sup> and (1.02 ± 0.02) cm<sup>2</sup>/g, respectively, at 80 keV X-ray energy with a thickness of (0.108 ± 0.01) cm. Additionally, the experimental calculation results were compared with the theoretical calculation using the XCOM database, demonstrating a strong agreement. Based on the results obtained, cellulose fibers loaded with Fe and Cu could be a material that is effective in X-ray shielding, lightweight, flexible, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18322,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Sustainability","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 101309"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146022705","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-17DOI: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101312
Mohammad Raquibul Hasan , Ian J. Davies , Alokesh Pramanik , Michele John , Wahidul K. Biswas
This study evaluates the mechanical performance and life cycle sustainability of post-consumer recycled polylactic acid (rPLA) for use in the fused filament fabrication of 3D-printed gear components. Five material compositions ranging from 0 % to 100 % rPLA blended with virgin PLA (vPLA) were assessed through tensile testing and gear function trials. To balance the technical evaluation, a comprehensive life-cycle sustainability assessment was conducted, incorporating environmental (ELCA), economic (LCC), and social (SLCA) indicators using a triple bottom line sustainability framework. Mechanical testing showed a slight reduction in tensile strength with increased rPLA content, with the 50:50 blend (V50:R50) achieving 52.83 MPa compared to 61.12 MPa for 100 % vPLA. All the blends maintained functional gear performance with no slippage. Environmentally, rPLA-rich blends significantly lowered global warming potential, cumulative energy demand, and abiotic resource depletion. Economically, although rPLA reduces raw material and energy costs, filament quality variability introduces preprocessing challenges, slightly increasing the overall production costs. Socially, rPLA-inclusive systems have demonstrated strong potential for improving local employment, training, and worker safety, particularly within decentralised recycling networks. The V50:R50 blend achieved the highest overall sustainability score (−1.35), offering the most balanced trade-off between mechanical performance and triple bottom line sustainability, outperforming both pure vPLA (−1.96) and pure rPLA (−1.75). These findings support the viability of rPLA in noncritical gear applications and underscore the importance of future research on quality assurance systems and cost-effective preprocessing technologies.
{"title":"Advancing circular additive manufacturing: Life cycle sustainability assessment of gears made from recycled polylactic acid","authors":"Mohammad Raquibul Hasan , Ian J. Davies , Alokesh Pramanik , Michele John , Wahidul K. Biswas","doi":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101312","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101312","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluates the mechanical performance and life cycle sustainability of post-consumer recycled polylactic acid (rPLA) for use in the fused filament fabrication of 3D-printed gear components. Five material compositions ranging from 0 % to 100 % rPLA blended with virgin PLA (vPLA) were assessed through tensile testing and gear function trials. To balance the technical evaluation, a comprehensive life-cycle sustainability assessment was conducted, incorporating environmental (ELCA), economic (LCC), and social (SLCA) indicators using a triple bottom line sustainability framework. Mechanical testing showed a slight reduction in tensile strength with increased rPLA content, with the 50:50 blend (V50:R50) achieving 52.83 MPa compared to 61.12 MPa for 100 % vPLA. All the blends maintained functional gear performance with no slippage. Environmentally, rPLA-rich blends significantly lowered global warming potential, cumulative energy demand, and abiotic resource depletion. Economically, although rPLA reduces raw material and energy costs, filament quality variability introduces preprocessing challenges, slightly increasing the overall production costs. Socially, rPLA-inclusive systems have demonstrated strong potential for improving local employment, training, and worker safety, particularly within decentralised recycling networks. The V50:R50 blend achieved the highest overall sustainability score (−1.35), offering the most balanced trade-off between mechanical performance and triple bottom line sustainability, outperforming both pure vPLA (−1.96) and pure rPLA (−1.75). These findings support the viability of rPLA in noncritical gear applications and underscore the importance of future research on quality assurance systems and cost-effective preprocessing technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18322,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Sustainability","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 101312"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146022703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-14DOI: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101304
L. Ojeda , J. Oliva , G. Gonzalez-Contreras , T.A. Esquivel-Castro , K.P. Padmasree , A.I. Mtz-Enriquez , V. Rodriguez-Gonzalez
This work reports AgSe/SbTe-based thermoelectric (THME) devices and their use as temperature sensors. The AgSe//SbTe-THME device produced an open-circuit-voltage (VO) of 32 mV, a power density (PD) of 100 nW cm−2 and an absolute seebeck-coeficient of 320 μV K−1 in range of 40–100 °C. Later, the AgSe electrode was replaced with AgSe + Boron nitride (BN) electrode, creating a (AgSe + BN)//SbTe-THME device. The SbTe electrode was also replaced by SbTe + SiO2/MnO/Graphene electrode, and this device was named as AgSe//(SbTe + MnO)-THME. We obtained VO values (at of 40–100 °C) of 480 mV and 520 mV for the (AgSe + BN)//SbTe-THME and AgSe//(SbTe + MnO)-THME devices, respectively. Those values are 14–15 times higher with respect to the AgSe//SbTe-THME device. The highest power/Seebeck coefficient of 0.9 μW cm−2/5.21 mV K−1 was obtained for the AgSe//(SbTe + MnO)-THME device. The devices above with BN and MnO were also evaluated as temperature sensors (TS) and the lowest response time (Res) of 12.88 s and the highest sensitivity (TCR) of 2.92 % °C−1 were obtained from the (AgSe + BN)//SbTe-TS sensor. Raman and UV–Vis techniques demonstrated that decreasing the content of defects on the electrodes increased the voltages generated by the THME devices and decreased the response times of the sensors. XPS demonstrated that the chemical stability is maintained only in the electrodes of the (AgSe + BN)//SbTe-TS devices despite the increase of temperature, therefore, they increased their sensitivity for the detection of temperature at higher temperatures. The dual devices with thermoelectric and temperature-sensor functions were fabricated on recycled plastics, which reduced considerably their cost.
{"title":"Adding boron nitride or SiO2/MnO/graphene composite to a flexible thermoelectric generator to change its operation mode to temperature sensor","authors":"L. Ojeda , J. Oliva , G. Gonzalez-Contreras , T.A. Esquivel-Castro , K.P. Padmasree , A.I. Mtz-Enriquez , V. Rodriguez-Gonzalez","doi":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101304","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101304","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This work reports AgSe/SbTe-based thermoelectric (THME) devices and their use as temperature sensors. The AgSe//SbTe-THME device produced an open-circuit-voltage (V<sub>O</sub>) of 32 mV, a power density (P<sub>D</sub>) of 100 nW cm<sup>−2</sup> and an absolute seebeck-coeficient <span><math><mrow><mo>|</mo><mi>S</mi><mo>|</mo></mrow></math></span> of 320 μV K<sup>−1</sup> in <span><math><mrow><mo>Δ</mo><mi>T</mi></mrow></math></span> range of 40–100 °C. Later, the AgSe electrode was replaced with AgSe + Boron nitride (BN) electrode, creating a (AgSe + BN)//SbTe-THME device. The SbTe electrode was also replaced by SbTe + SiO<sub>2</sub>/MnO/Graphene electrode, and this device was named as AgSe//(SbTe + MnO)-THME. We obtained V<sub>O</sub> values (at <span><math><mrow><mo>Δ</mo><mi>T</mi></mrow></math></span> of 40–100 °C) of 480 mV and 520 mV for the (AgSe + BN)//SbTe-THME and AgSe//(SbTe + MnO)-THME devices, respectively. Those values are 14–15 times higher with respect to the AgSe//SbTe-THME device. The highest power/Seebeck coefficient of 0.9 μW cm<sup>−2</sup>/5.21 mV K<sup>−1</sup> was obtained for the AgSe//(SbTe + MnO)-THME device. The devices above with BN and MnO were also evaluated as temperature sensors (TS) and the lowest response time (Res) of 12.88 s and the highest sensitivity (TCR) of 2.92 % °C<sup>−1</sup> were obtained from the (AgSe + BN)//SbTe-TS sensor. Raman and UV–Vis techniques demonstrated that decreasing the content of defects on the electrodes increased the voltages generated by the THME devices and decreased the response times of the sensors. XPS demonstrated that the chemical stability is maintained only in the electrodes of the (AgSe + BN)//SbTe-TS devices despite the increase of temperature, therefore, they increased their sensitivity for the detection of temperature at higher temperatures. The dual devices with thermoelectric and temperature-sensor functions were fabricated on recycled plastics, which reduced considerably their cost.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18322,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Sustainability","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 101304"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146022701","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-14DOI: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101307
Siti Adawiyah Zulkefli , Nurin Tihani Nazemi , Zatul Faqihah Mohd Salaha , Gan Hong Seng , Mohammed Rafiq Abdul Kadir , Muhammad Hanif Ramlee
Magnesium and its alloys are promising biodegradable implant materials for developing orthopaedic implants. However, the drawback of pure Mg and Mg alloys is their high degradation rate in a biological environment. Thus, several strategies are implemented to enhance corrosion resistance and biocompatibility and achieve a controlled degradation rate for these implants by using surface modification. This systematic review addressed the importance of corrosion rate, mechanical properties, toxicity, and bone healing of the biodegradable metallic implant coated with other materials. From the review, the study indicates that chemical and physical coatings are among the most extensively studied strategies for enhancing the performance of orthopaedic implants. For example, a composite coating made of polycaprolactone (PCL), and amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) particles has shown improved corrosion resistance when tested in simulated body fluid (SBF). Furthermore, bioactivity osteointegration could be enhanced by calcium phosphate (CaP) coating, such as brushite, β-tricalcium phosphate, and hydroxyapatite. Several studies have shown that a compact HA coating has excellent corrosion resistance and good biocompatibility, which are suitable for biodegradable metal orthopaedic implants. These findings highlight the various successful surface modification methods that could enhance the biodegradable metal implants.
{"title":"Effects of corrosion rate, mechanical properties, toxicity, and bone healing towards different surface modification of biodegradable metallic: A systematic review","authors":"Siti Adawiyah Zulkefli , Nurin Tihani Nazemi , Zatul Faqihah Mohd Salaha , Gan Hong Seng , Mohammed Rafiq Abdul Kadir , Muhammad Hanif Ramlee","doi":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101307","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtsust.2026.101307","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Magnesium and its alloys are promising biodegradable implant materials for developing orthopaedic implants. However, the drawback of pure Mg and Mg alloys is their high degradation rate in a biological environment. Thus, several strategies are implemented to enhance corrosion resistance and biocompatibility and achieve a controlled degradation rate for these implants by using surface modification. This systematic review addressed the importance of corrosion rate, mechanical properties, toxicity, and bone healing of the biodegradable metallic implant coated with other materials. From the review, the study indicates that chemical and physical coatings are among the most extensively studied strategies for enhancing the performance of orthopaedic implants. For example, a composite coating made of polycaprolactone (PCL), and amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) particles has shown improved corrosion resistance when tested in simulated body fluid (SBF). Furthermore, bioactivity osteointegration could be enhanced by calcium phosphate (CaP) coating, such as brushite, β-tricalcium phosphate, and hydroxyapatite. Several studies have shown that a compact HA coating has excellent corrosion resistance and good biocompatibility, which are suitable for biodegradable metal orthopaedic implants. These findings highlight the various successful surface modification methods that could enhance the biodegradable metal implants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18322,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Sustainability","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 101307"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146022706","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}