Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Quinn T. Birch, Phillip M. Potter, Patricio X. Pinto, Dionysios D. Dionysiou, Souhail R. Al-Abed
Summary: Micro- and nano-scale plastic particles in the environment are of special concern due to their potential impact on marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems. Despite widespread research on microplastic pollution globally, there are still many questions about its origins. Developing standard methods to characterize and quantify microplastics is crucial for understanding their geographic origins and potential environmental and human health risks.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Yujian Lai, Xueying Sheng, Lijie Dong, Peng Li, Qingcun Li, Sujuan Yu, Qingxiang Zhou, Jingfu Liu
Summary: A comprehensive method has been developed for accurately determining particulate black carbon (PBC) by digestive elimination of coexisting microplastics (MPs) and other non-black carbon organic matter.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mehmood Aslam, Abdul Qadir, Saba Hafeez, Hafiz Muhammad Umer Aslam, Sajid Rashid Ahmad
Summary: This study examines the spatial distribution of microplastics (MPs) in River Ravi in Pakistan during different seasons. The results show that the concentrations of MPs in both water and sediment samples are relatively high, with urban sprawl, industrialization, improper solid waste management, and overuse of plastic products being major contributors. This study provides important scientific information for policymakers and river managers to effectively address plastic pollution.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Muhammad Adli Hanif, Naimah Ibrahim, Farrah Aini Dahalan, Umi Fazara Md Ali, Masitah Hasan, Aishah Abdul Jalil
Summary: This paper focuses on the removal process of microplastics and nanoplastics, discussing various quantification and analysis methods, as well as different mitigation methods such as filtration, capture, and degradation. The parameters affecting removal performance and international patents related to this field are also reviewed.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jianghao Ji, Tong Zhao, Fanghua Li
Summary: This article discusses the hazards of plastic waste on the environment and human health, as well as the methods for degrading plastic waste and the potential for plastic recycling. Physical, chemical, and biological methods can be used to degrade plastic waste, with reactive oxygen species and enzymes playing important roles. Innovative technologies utilizing sunlight and carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration provide new directions for plastic recycling. It is suggested to establish an efficient plastic sorting system and propose engineering solutions for sustainable plastic recycling.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
A. I. Eldahshory, Karim Emara, M. S. Abd-Elhady, M. A. Ismail
Summary: The objective of this research is to produce oil from waste polypropylene (WPP) using low-cost natural catalysts. Three natural catalysts (Kaolin, Hematite, and white sand) were examined, and different catalyst-to-plastic ratios were tested. The results showed that Kaolin had the highest oil yield and the lowest cost of production. The use of Kaolin as a catalyst also improved the quality and quantity of the produced oil compared to the other catalysts and the non-catalytic case.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Amit Kumar Sarkar, Andrey Ethan Rubin, Ines Zucker
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of weathering conditions on polystyrene-based single-use products and designed engineered microplastics to enhance the environmental relevance of risk assessment. The engineered microplastics demonstrated high environmental relevance and improved control over particle properties, offering a more reliable estimation of risk associated with emerging pollutants.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Vijaykumar Sekar, Baranidharan Sundaram
Summary: In recent years, Microplastics (MPs) have gained significant attention globally due to their ability to pollute the environment and transfer toxins into the food chain, posing a threat to human health. Landfill leachate is identified as a major source of MPs, contaminating surface water, groundwater, and soil. This study focuses on the origin, detection, occurrence, and effects of MPs in Indian landfill leachate, revealing the concentrations, shapes, colors, and predominant polymers of MPs found.
PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2023)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Fan Zhang, Yuting Zhao, Dandan Wang, Mengqin Yan, Jing Zhang, Pengyan Zhang, Tonggui Ding, Lei Chen, Chao Chen
Summary: The review summarizes advanced nonbiodegradable plastic waste treatment technologies, analyzes their mechanisms and development status, and proposes an outlook for industrial application to effectively address NPW issues.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Xianhui Zhao, Matthew Korey, Kai Li, Katie Copenhaver, Halil Tekinalp, Serdar Celik, Kyriaki Kalaitzidou, Roger Ruan, Arthur J. Ragauskas, Soydan Ozcan
Summary: This article discusses the current advances and future directions in plastic waste upcycling technologies, focusing on methods of converting plastic waste into high-value products, as well as highlighting the challenges and providing suggestions for future research and development to increase the efficiency of upcycling practices.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Farid Sotoudehnia, Berlinda Orji, Endalkachew Mengistie, Abdulbaset M. Alayat, Armando G. McDonald
Summary: The study focused on recovering wax oil from pyrolysis of waxed cardboard and evaluating its potential as a transport fuel. Thermal pyrolysis resulted in dienes and short-chain olefins, while catalytic pyrolysis, with zeolite Y as a catalyst, increased the conversion of long-chain hydrocarbons to short-chain alkanes and aromatics. The liquid products from catalytic pyrolysis had chemical profiles similar to gasoline, showing promise as a sustainable alternative fuel source.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Senthilkumar Nangan, Kuppusamy Kanagaraj, Gurumoorthy Kaarthikeyan, Anuj Kumar, Mohd Ubaidullah, Bidhan Pandit, Rajakumar Govindasamy, Thirumalaivasan Natesan
Summary: Addressing global waste challenges, we can repurpose waste syringes into fluorescent carbon dots using a sustainable approach. By carbonizing and modifying discarded plastic syringes with hyaluronic acid, luminescent syringe carbon dots were created. Extensive analysis and biocompatibility assessments confirmed their safety and potential antimicrobial traits.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Naying Li, Zhiyong Han, Nanfei Guo, Zhiqiang Zhou, Ying Liu, Qianggang Tang
Summary: Microplastics in municipal solid waste landfills (MSWLs) were studied by drilling samples from a sanitary landfill (SL) and a non-sanitary landfill (NSL). Various types of microplastics were found in the landfills, with the abundance increasing with landfill depth and age. Small-size microplastics dominated the samples, while large-size microplastics decreased from top to bottom. Different plastic-degrading microorganisms were identified in SL and NSL.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Kornelia Kadac-Czapska, Eliza Knez, Magdalena Gierszewska, Ewa Olewnik-Kruszkowska, Malgorzata Grembecka
Summary: Plastics are widely used for food packaging, but most packaging is disposable, resulting in significant waste generation and environmental degradation. The degradation processes are influenced by various factors, including mechanical forces, temperature, light, and chemical and biological factors. These processes result in the formation of microplastics, which can further degrade into small-molecule compounds. Microplastics and additives used in plastic processing can have negative effects on human and animal health. Understanding the degradation processes of packaging waste and their products is crucial for determining the negative consequences of microplastics.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Bhanu Joshi, Himanshu Raghav, Ankit Agrawal, Bhanu Prasad Vempatapu, Anjan Ray, Bipul Sarkar
Summary: Used polystyrene is a significant contributor to the increasing global plastic waste problem. A study found that a solid base catalyst (KFe/γ-Al2O3) was effective in selectively depolymerizing polystyrene into styrene with high selectivity and liquid yield. The physical adsorption of polystyrene molecules on the iron oxide surface and controlled dissociation played a crucial role in reducing the formation of secondary products. The catalyst showed prolonged activity, stability, and regenerability for multiple cycles.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY & FUELS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hui Xu, Junliang Chen, Zhenghao Zhang, Chin-Te Hung, Jianping Yang, Wei Li
Summary: In this study, a highly efficient electrocatalytic reduction catalyst was prepared by encapsulating ultrasmall CuPd alloy nanoparticles. The catalyst exhibits high conversion efficiency, selectivity and stability. Experimental and theoretical results also reveal the unique selectivity of different catalysts for the reduction of NO3-.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hui Zhang, Chuqi Wang, Hongxia Luo, Junliang Chen, Min Kuang, Jianping Yang
Summary: This study reports a graphene-nanochainmail-protected iron nanoparticle (Fe@Gnc) electrocatalyst, which exhibits superior nitrate removal efficiency and high nitrogen selectivity, along with exceptional stability and durability. The conductive graphene nanochainmail effectively protects the internal iron active sites, allowing Fe@Gnc to maintain its long-lasting electrochemical nitrate catalytic activity.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Lin Gu, Min Kuang, Jun Chen, Jianping Yang
CHINESE JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Tinghui Yang, Min Kuang, Jianping Yang
Summary: Electrocatalysis of CO2 toward multicarbon (C2+) products has wide applications in the energy and chemical industries, providing an attractive approach to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the depletion of fossil fuels. However, the productivity of CO2-to-C2+ products is hindered by low selectivity and reaction rate due to challenges in C-C coupling and multiple electron-proton transfer steps. Recent progress in tandem catalysts has shown promise in enhancing the selectivity and formation rate of CO2-to-C2+ products, demonstrating high industrial practicality.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ronald T. Leon, Peter C. Sherrell, Andris Sutka, Amanda V. Ellis
Summary: Piezoelectric (PE) devices, including PE nanogenerators (PENGs) and sensors, have been extensively studied for applications that require the transduction of mechanical and electrical energy. However, reports detailing the electrical characterization of such materials have given insufficient attention to the influences of static energy (i.e., triboelectricity (TE)) in the electrical outputs reported. In this work, the authors propose a method using fast Fourier transform (FFT) to decouple the energy contributions of PE and TE nanogenerators, enabling the accurate development of PE devices with precise electrical outputs in the future.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Andris Sutka, Kaspars Malnieks, Martins Zubkins, Arturs Pludons, Anatolijs Sarakovskis, Osvalds Verners, Raivis Eglitis, Peter C. Sherrell
Summary: This study examines the tribvovoltic performance of TiO2 thin films in contact with metals of varying work functions. It is found that the current density is not strongly correlated with the work function of the contact metal but is strongly correlated with the contact area. The thermoelectric coefficients of different metals at the metal-semiconductor interface also show a clear correlation with the tribvovoltic current density.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fangzhou Zhang, Jiamei Luo, Junliang Chen, Hongxia Luo, Miaomiao Jiang, Chenxi Yang, Hui Zhang, Jun Chen, Angang Dong, Jianping Yang
Summary: One-dimensional fiber architecture is an excellent catalyst support as it enhances catalytic performance by exposing more active sites and facilitating mass diffusion. We developed an interfacial assembly strategy to orderly distribute metal nanocrystals on different fiber substrates, achieving optimum electrocatalytic performance. This strategy has the potential to promote the rational design and synthesis of fiber-based electrocatalysts.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Linbo Li, Xiaolong Zhang, Chuangwei Liu, Venkata Sai Sriram Mosali, Jun Chen, Alan M. Bond, Qinfen Gu, Jie Zhang
Summary: Electroreduction of CO2 to value-added chemicals is more efficient using a hydrophobicity graded GDL (HGGDL) that resists electrolyte flooding. Comparing the performance of a tandem catalyst consisting of a nickel-single-atom catalyst and Cu nanoparticles immobilized on GDLs and HGGDLs, the HGGDL showed higher CO intermediate coverage and lower carbonate formation. This leads to enhanced ethylene production efficiency and improved long term stability in a membrane electrode assembly electrolyzer.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shuaika Liang, Yuanyuan Ma, Hongxia Luo, Kangxi Wu, Jun Chen, Jianping Yang
Summary: In this study, a membrane-free decoupled water electrolysis system was designed using graphite felt supported nickel-cobalt phosphate material as a tri-functional electrode. The electrode exhibited high specific capacity, long cycle life, and excellent catalytic activities for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). This decoupled system provides more flexibility for hydrogen production using fluctuating renewable energies.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yifan Ren, Fengguo Tian, Limin Jin, Ying Wang, Jianping Yang, Shijie You, Yanbiao Liu
Summary: The growth of renewable energy industries and agriculture's need for sustainable production of ammonia have created a demand for low-cost, environment-friendly techniques. This study presents a nanohybrid electrocatalytic filter with iron single atoms immobilized on MXene, which exhibited higher NH3 synthesis efficiency and selectivity compared to other filters. The FeSA/MXene filter also prevented competition from the HER and reduced the activation energy, making NH3 synthesis thermodynamically favorable. This work offers an alternative strategy for synergistic NO3 (-) removal and nutrient recovery with durable catalytic activity and stability.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mi Li, Wanqin Xu, Xiaoyan Wu, Xiaowen Zhang, Qi Fang, Tao Cai, Jianping Yang, Yilong Hua
Summary: Doping uranium into a stable Fe3O4 lattice structure reduces migration, but the presence of coexisting ions in an aqueous solution affects uranium mineralization efficiency and the stability of uranium-bearing Fe3O4. Calcium incorporation increases the level and stability of doped uranium in Fe3O4 due to strong hybridization effects. Phosphate, however, inhibits Fe3O4 crystallization. These findings offer new possibilities for multi-metal co-doping technologies and optimization in treating uranium-containing complex wastewater.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andris Sutka, Linards Lapcinskis, Delong He, Hyunseung Kim, Joseph D. Berry, Jinbo Bai, Maris Knite, Amanda V. Ellis, Chang Kyu Jeong, Peter C. Sherrell
Summary: This review summarizes the structure-property-performance relationship of polymer insulators in triboelectric nanogenerators and focuses on tools to enhance charge generation by altering the mechanical, thermal, chemical, and topographical properties of polymers. The use of additives to manipulate the polymer surface structure is also discussed. The link between these properties and the charging mechanism is explored, and pathways to engineer triboelectric charging are highlighted.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
A. Panagiotopoulos, G. Nagaraju, S. Tagliaferri, C. Grotta, P. C. Sherrell, M. Sokolikova, G. Cheng, F. Iacoviello, K. Sharda, C. Mattevi
Summary: This article presents the 3D printed electrodes of 1T'/1T MoS2/TiS2 nanosheets for microsupercapacitors, achieving and preserving the 1T' phase. The high mass loading and unique geometry of the printed electrodes contribute to the high energy and power density of the microsupercapacitors. This work demonstrates the possibility of manufacturing electrically conductive device components based on metastable materials.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mohammad Taha, Sivacarendran Balendhran, Peter C. Sherrell, Nick Kirkwood, Dingchen Wen, Shifan Wang, Jiajun Meng, James Bullock, Kenneth B. Crozier, Len Sciacca
Summary: We have developed a method to lower the insulator-to-metal phase transition (IMT) temperature of vanadium oxide (VOx) to around 40 degrees Celsius, enabling near-room temperature infrared modulation. This approach involves controlling the metal oxide stoichiometry and using a SiO2 shell to induce strain in the VOx particles, effectively reducing the IMT temperature.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dongdong Wang, Zhiwen Chen, Yujie Wu, Yu-Cheng Huang, Li Tao, Jun Chen, Chung-Li Dong, Chandra Veer Singh, Shuangyin Wang
Summary: Researchers developed a structurally ordered PtRhFeNiCu high-entropy intermetallics as an electrocatalyst for high-temperature polybenzimidazole-based direct ethanol fuel cells, exhibiting excellent electrocatalytic activity and CO tolerance. The power density achieved was 47.50 mW/cm(2), 2.97 times higher than Pt/C. The new class of high-entropy intermetallics showed better C-C bond-breaking ability, stability, and electrochemical activity compared to high-entropy alloys and Pt/C catalysts.
