Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Rongrong Zhang, Feng Li, Siqi Zhou, Yue Hou
Summary: In this study, the effect of surfactant type, dosage, and ultrasonic time on the dispersion of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) in aqueous and alkali solutions was investigated. CNFs were successfully dispersed in aqueous solutions using methylcellulose (MC), polycarboxylate superplasticizer (PC), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), while evident aggregations were observed in alkali solutions. PC performed better in alkali solutions and significantly improved the mechanical properties and pore structure of volcanic ash-based geopolymer nanocomposites.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Jeison Vasquez, Marcelo Gonzalez, Paulina Vergara, Jose F. Munoz, Juan Arellano, Nestor Escalona Burgos
Summary: This study investigates the impact of incorporating carbon nanotubes into a cementitious matrix with high levels of sulfate. Results show that carbon nanotubes can significantly improve compressive strength and reduce expansion. This research is novel as it explores the application of carbon nanotubes in alkaline pastes with high sulfate content.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yingsheng Li, Jia Wang, Jiayi He, Rui Zeng, Mengyu Miao, Yao Wang, Cong Ren, Tong Liu
Summary: This study introduces a novel carbon nanotubes (CNTs)@fly ash Janus composite membrane with hierarchically oriented straight pores, prepared using industrial solid waste fly ash and white pollutant waste plastic. The membrane exhibits good hydrophobicity and excellent gas permeability, and when used for solar membrane distillation, it achieves a high interfacial evaporation rate. It has the potential to achieve near-zero solid waste emission and efficient seawater desalination.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Numan Salah, Abdulrahman Muhammad Alfawzan, Waleed Allafi, Ahmed Alshahrie, Waleed M. Al-Shawafi
Summary: Oil fly ash (OFA), a byproduct of burning heavy crude oil, is a suitable catalyst and co-precursor for carbon nanotube (CNTs) production. A new method for OFA treatment through pre-sintering and optimized growth conditions for CNTs production has been proposed. Well-defined, thin nanotubes with bamboo-like structures can be produced under these conditions.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
David Suescum-Morales, Rui Vasco Silva, Miguel Bravo, Jose Ramon Jimenez, Jose Maria Fernandez-Rodriguez, Jorge de Brito
Summary: The effect of incorporating bottom ash from municipal solid waste incineration (MIBA) as partial replacement for fly ash (FA) on alkali-activated mortars was studied. The use of MIBA resulted in a decrease of calcium silicate hydrate gel (C-S-H) and sodium aluminosilicate hydrate (N-A-S-H), affecting the macrostructural behavior of the mortars. The accelerated CO2 curing stage improved the macrostructural behavior of the mortars.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Junwei Lv, Yitian Qin, Zheng Li, Jiaxiang Liu, Xu Wang, Xiangyang Liu, Yang Liu
Summary: This article investigates the enhancement effect of FCNTs on the properties of natural rubber, revealing the influence of temperature on dormant radicals and the correlation between initiation abilities of FCNTs and their fluorine contents. The introduction of FCNTs successfully increases the tensile strength of rubber composites and exhibits excellent microwave absorption properties.
COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Peyman Harirchi, Mijia Yang
Summary: This study investigated the effect of carbon curing procedure on low reactive fly ash alkali-activated pastes, and found that carbonation curing was detrimental to the geopolymerization process, leading to a reduction in compressive strength.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Junjie Zhang, Hongbo Tan, Ming Bao, Xiaohai Liu, Zhongtao Luo, Penggang Wang
Summary: Na2SO4 (NS)-activated slag as an alkali-activated binder showed slower strength development but lower CO2 emissions potential compared to NaOH and water glass. By using ultra-fine slag and fly ash (FA), the compressive strength was improved while reducing CO2 emissions. The study indicated a promising low carbon alkali-activated binder.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Yating Zhang, Wei Xia
Summary: This study presents a surface treatment process to improve the characteristics of fly ash cenosphere (FAC). Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are used to enhance the interfacial performance of the surface-treated FAC (STFAC) and the overall performance of STFAC-incorporated concrete. Adding a small amount of CNTs positively affects the hydration process and mechanical properties of the concrete, but decreases workability. However, a higher dosage of CNTs has a damaging impact on concrete performance, which can be alleviated by increasing the internal-water to binder ratio.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Peng Cui, Yuanyuan Wan, Xuejun Shao, Xinyu Ling, Long Zhao, Yongfan Gong, Chenhui Zhu
Summary: Traditional silicate cement materials produce a large amount of CO2 during production, making it urgent to seek alternatives. Alkali-activated slag cement is a good substitute with low carbon emissions and energy consumption, and the ability to utilize industrial waste residues. However, the shrinkage of alkali-activated concrete can be larger. This study used slag powder as the raw material and fly ash and fine sand to reduce the shrinkage values of alkali-activated slag cement.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Min Xie, Jian Cheng, Li Xu, Liwei Wang, Anqi Chen, Shuhui Zhang, Xiaohan Ren
Summary: In this study, activated carbon was prepared using fly ash and poplar bark as raw materials, and the effects of different factors on the physicochemical properties of the semi-coke and activated carbon were investigated. The results showed that the prepared activated carbon had excellent properties under certain conditions, which is of great significance for industrial production.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
David Suescum-Morales, Miguel Bravo, Rui Vasco Silva, Jose Ramon Jimenez, Jose Maria Fernandez-Rodriguez, Jorge de Brito
Summary: This study investigated the effect of replacing fly ash with reactive magnesium oxide (MgO) in alkali-activated fly ash mortars under two different environments. The results showed that the substitution of fly ash with MgO led to a decline in compressive and flexural strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and dynamic Young's modulus. However, CO2 curing improved the physicomechanical properties of the samples.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Seyedsaeid Hosseini, Nicholas A. Brake, Mohammad Nikookar, Ozge Gunaydin-Sen, Haley A. Snyder
Summary: Mechanochemical activation of sub-bituminous coal bottom ash with fly ash and sodium silicate powder can improve compressive strength and microstructural properties of geopolymers.
CEMENT & CONCRETE COMPOSITES
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Sepehr Seyedian Choubi, Cagla Meral Akgul
Summary: This study investigates the impact of heat exposure on the performance of alkali-activated coal fly ashes (AAF). The results show that the mechanical performance varies depending on the exposure temperature and intrinsic properties of the activated ashes. Low-Ca AAFs are found to be more stable compared to high-Ca AAFs. Heat exposure also significantly reduces the thermal conductivity and volumetric specific capacity of all AAFs.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Qiang Qiang Shi, Hang Zhan, Run Wei Mo, Jian Nong Wang
Summary: In this study, a strategy for preparing highly orientated CNT/EP composites was reported. By continuously soaking and stretching CNT fibers in an EP resin solution, the EP resin infiltrated and aligned the CNTs simultaneously, resulting in a highly uniform and orientated composite.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mohammad S. Manzar, Hamidi Abdul Aziz, Lucas Meili, Ihsanullah Ihsanullah, Puganeshwary Palaniandy, Mamdouh A. Al-Harthi
Summary: The adsorption potential of cellulose nanocrystal-structured MgAl/LDH (CNC/MgAl-LDH) composite for tetracycline (TC) removal was evaluated for the first time. The prepared adsorbent was characterized using SEM, XRD, FTIR, and BET surface area analysis. The CN-MAl-1 composite displayed a high specific surface area of 101.927 m(2) g(-1). The adsorption kinetic data was well fitted by the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The Langmuir isotherm model showed a good fit to the experimental data, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 143.5 and 153.3 mg g(-1) at 298 and 318 K, respectively. Thermodynamic studies indicated that the adsorption of TC was spontaneous, favorable, and endothermic with Delta H-0 = 25.13 kJ mol(-1). After five cycles of regeneration, the TC removal efficiency of the adsorbent remained above 90%. The synthesized adsorbent showed promise and efficiency in the removal of TC from aqueous solutions.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Muhammad Tariq Khan, Izaz Ali Shah, Md Faysal Hossain, Nasrin Akther, Yanbo Zhou, Muhammad Sajawal Khan, Muayad Al-shaeli, Muhammad Suleman Bacha, Ihsanullah Ihsanullah
Summary: Waste generated by healthcare facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially single-use personal protective equipment (PPE), has become a new source of pollution, releasing microplastics (MPs) and microfibers (MFs) that threaten environmental sustainability. The excessive consumption of plastic-made PPE has led to large amounts of plastic waste entering terrestrial and marine environments. These MPs/MFs, when consumed by aquatic organisms, disrupt the food chain and potentially harm human health. Proper management of PPE waste is crucial for a post-COVID sustainable environment. However, many questions regarding MP/MF contamination during COVID-19 remain unanswered, necessitating further research and recommendations for environmental remediation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Muhammad Sajid, Ihsanullah Ihsanullah, Muhammad Tariq Khan, Nadeem Baig
Summary: Contamination of water resources with inorganic and organic pollutants, as well as microplastics (MPs), poses a significant challenge to aquatic, human, and wildlife sustainability. Nanomaterial-based adsorbents, such as metal-organic frameworks, bio-based nanomaterials, carbon-based nanomaterials, and layered double hydroxides, show promise in removing MPs from water due to their high surface area and affinity towards pollutants. However, research in this field is still in its early stages and several questions remain unanswered. Further studies are needed to fully explore the strengths, weaknesses, and future research dimensions of nanomaterial-based adsorbents for MP removal from water.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Thadickal V. Joydas, Mohammad A. Qurban, Angel Borja, Seerangan Manokaran, Karuppasamy P. Manikandan, Lotfi Jilani Rabaoui, Joxe Mikel Garmendia, T. T. M. Asharaf, Korhan Ayranci, Ahsan Mushir Shemsi, Shoeb Mohammed, Abdullajid U. Basali, Premlal Panickan, Zahid Nazeer, P. S. Lyla, Syed Ajmal Khan, Periyadan K. Krishnakumar
Summary: Based on the assessment in 2013, the ecological status of macrobenthos in the entire Saudi waters of the Gulf is influenced by unique oceanographic conditions and human activities. The average species richness, species diversity, and density are 34, 4.02, and 1,373 ind. m-2, respectively. Most stations in the open waters are slightly disturbed and not under major stress, while the benthos in inner bays face greater pressure, possibly due to coastal discharges and poor water flushing rates.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rooh Ullah, Mustafa Tuzen, Saif Ullah, Muhammad Haroon, Rozina Khattak, Tawfik A. Saleh
Summary: A series of novel mixed metal oxides (MOs) were prepared as supports for Ni/MOs using the double hydrolysis technique. The desulfurization study showed that the 10%NiZnO-Al2O3 adsorbent exhibited superior desulfurization performance with a breakthrough point of 10 ppm in model gasoline. The superior desulfurization performance was attributed to its higher Lewis and Lewis/Bronsted acid site ratio, higher surface area, larger pore size distribution, and lesser amount of inactive ZnAl2O4 spinel.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ayman A. Alazab, Tawfik A. Saleh
Summary: An effective and low-cost method for fabricating superhydrophobic surfaces was investigated. The developed materials showed excellent water-repellency and exhibited significant oil absorption capacities, high separation efficiency, and reusability in the separation of oil-water. They also demonstrated outstanding oil selectivity in different salty waters and retained excellent separation even after 10 abrasion cycles with sandpapers. The prepared materials are promising for oil/water separation in harsh environments.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mohammed Al-Yaari, Tawfik A. Saleh
Summary: Polyethyleneimine-grafted graphene oxide (PEI/GO) was synthesized by using graphene, polyethyleneimine, and trimesoyl chloride. The characterization results confirm the successful synthesis of PEI/GO and its strong interaction with lead (Pb2+) ions. The isotherm study reveals the adsorption process follows the Freundlich isotherm model, with a high maximum adsorption capacity. The prepared PEI/GO adsorbent shows promise for wastewater treatment due to its fast and high uptake removal capacity for Pb2+ ions and other heavy metals.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tawfik A. Saleh, Mulya Muhammad Nur, Mauliady Satria, Abdulrahman A. Al-Arfaj
Summary: In this study, highly inhibitive and high-temperature-resistant shale inhibitors were developed by grafting silica nanoparticles with hyperbranched APTMS and FOTS. The modified material displayed outstanding shale inhibition properties, with a hot rolling recovery test inhibition rate of approximately 96% compared to KCl standard test. The nanocomposite inhibitor also showed a significantly higher effectiveness in preventing water expansion into the original shale in the swelling test, with an inhibition rate of around 86% compared to KCl.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Imran Khan Rind, Ahmet Sari, Mustafa Tuzen, Muhammad Farooque Lanjwani, Isa Karaman, Tawfik A. Saleh
Summary: In this study, graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) were coupled with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) for the adsorption of antimony (Sb) from water. The optimum conditions for composite dosage, initial concentration, pH level, contact time, and temperature were determined. The GNP/S. aureus composite exhibited promising adsorption capacity for Sb(III) ions in wastewater.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Imran Ali, Hasan M. Khan, Muhammad Naveed Akram, Yang-Fang Chen, Mujahid Mustaqeem, Tawfik A. Saleh, Muhammad Ahmad, Imran Sadiq, Nimra Lateef
Summary: Spinel ferrites with a composition of Ca0.5Ba0.5-xZnxFe2O4 were synthesized by sol-gel autocombustion and annealed at 650℃ for 6 hours. FTIR and XRD results confirmed the spinel structure and single-phase BCC structure. The samples exhibited average crystal sizes between 41.43 and 94.05 nm, and a decrease in lattice constant a value from 8.60 angstrom to 8.54 angstrom. Various parameters were calculated, including atomic packing fraction, bulk density, D-spacing, dislocation density, number of unit cells, porosity, strain, unit cell volume, volume of particles, and X-ray density.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Asif Matin, Shehzada Muhammad Sajid Jillani, Umair Baig, I. Ihsanullah, Khalid Alhooshani
Summary: Trace organic compounds from effluent streams can contaminate groundwater sources as they are not completely removed by conventional purification techniques. In this study, we investigated the removal efficiency and rejection mechanisms of three common pharmaceutically active compounds using different surface characteristics of commercial nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes. The results showed that RO membranes exhibited near-complete removal of all compounds, while the retention capabilities of NF membranes varied depending on the characteristics of the compounds, membranes, and feed solution.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Muhammad Bilal, Usman Khan, I. Ihsanullah
Summary: As the global population and industrial sector continue to grow, the generation of wastewater has become a major environmental concern. MXenes have emerged as excellent materials for water purification due to their exceptional physicochemical characteristics. This article provides a comprehensive overview of MXene-based composite materials as effective adsorbents for the enhanced uptake of dyes from aqueous environments, discussing synthesis methods, physicochemical characteristics, and adsorption mechanisms. The review highlights the immense potential of MXene-based adsorbents as a sustainable and effective solution for wastewater treatment.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Muhammad Sajid, Ihsanullah Ihsanullah
Summary: Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have unique physicochemical properties, making them promising for applications in water treatment. The surface area and intercalated materials within LDH layers play important roles in contaminant adsorption. LDHs can be synthesized using various methods and can incorporate other materials or form composites for selective capture of pollutants. Magnetic LDH-based composites have been widely used for the purification of water contaminated with various substances. LDHs are considered greener and sustainable materials, as they are mainly composed of inorganic salts. They can be easily regenerated and used for multiple adsorption-desorption cycles. This review critically examines the synthesis, applications, factors affecting adsorption performance, and mechanisms of LDHs, and discusses challenges and perspectives.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Namrah Akhtar, Zaheer Aslam, Reyad A. Shawabkeh, Nadeem Baig, Umair Aslam, Ihsanullah Ihsanullah, Salahuddin Khan
Summary: In this study, waste fly ash was treated with acid activation and subsequent amine functionalization to improve its properties. The modified waste fly ash showed good adsorption performance for different dyes in wastewater. The adsorption behavior of the dyes was influenced by the type of dye and the presence of other dyes in the solution. The kinetics and thermodynamics of the adsorption process were analyzed, and a monolayer uptake capacity was determined for each dye. Overall, the modified waste fly ash proved to be an effective adsorbent for dye-bearing wastewater.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Chemical
I. Ihsanullah, Muhammad Bilal, Muhammad Sajid, Abdul Wahab Mohammad, Muataz A. Atieh, Noreddine Ghaffour
Summary: This review critically summarizes the successful applications of MXene materials in the separation of oily emulsions. The unique characteristics of MXene materials position them as ideal candidates for oil/water separation applications. The paper evaluates the separation mechanisms, regeneration performance, stability, and durability of MXene-based materials and identifies current challenges and research gaps. Future prospects for advancing MXene-based oil/water separation technology are also presented.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
