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Sustainable Materials for Environmental Applications

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 19095

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. P. Senthil Kumar

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Guest Editor

Centre of Excellence in Water Research (CEWAR), Department of Chemical Engineering, Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, Chennai 603110, India
Interests: Biohydrogen; Biofuels; Hydrogen; Methane；Alternative Fuels; Water Analysis; Waste Management; Wastewater Treatment; Sensor
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Dai-Viet N. Vo

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Guest Editor

Institute of Environmental Technology and Sustainable Development, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City 755414, Vietnam
Interests: energy and environment
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Dr. N. Selvaraju

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Guest Editor

Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India
Interests: adsorption; sustainable materials; environmental pollution; toxicology studies; remediation techniques

Prof. Dr. Ramalingam Subramaniam

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Guest Editor

Department of Engineering and Science, College of Science and Engineering, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA 70605, USA
Interests: bioprocessing; process modeling; wastewater treatment; technoeconomic analysis and environmental engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the rapid increase in population and industrialization along with fast economic development and growing demands, the use of sustainable material has reached critical importance with respect to preserving the environment for future generations. In protecting the natural world, the needs regarding the production and application of sustainable materials to tackle environmental pollutants are being elevated. Some materials exhibit toxic properties, like carcinogenicity, with a high degree of potency. To eradicate environmental toxic pollutants, a reliable tool, such as sustainable materials, needs to be considered. The development of sustainable materials can create a significant change in the environment. These materials are safe and effective and could be managed in various ways to reduce wastefulness without changing their quality. Distinct properties, such as adsorption, redox potential, and photocatalytic activity, are available in advanced sustainable materials, which help to create a better environment. Manufacturing less toxic material in environmental application processes would ensure greater safety and the best future. These materials come from a sustainable system of production, use, and disposal and also offer innovation and learning opportunities for the conservation of resources for future generations. Many research works based on various science streams are required to extend the range of novel sustainable materials in the field of science and technology.

Sustainable materials are eco-friendly products originating from safe and natural resources. In pointing out the environmental issues, sustainable materials are considered as the first choice to resolve concerns. The current Special Issue will mainly focus on the application of sustainable materials in the field of sensing, monitoring, and remediation of toxic pollutants, including both organic and inorganic pollutants. In the search for more sustainable materials, this issue will cover the use of industrial materials, including chemicals and metals and, additionally, nonmetallic minerals, wood, fuels, and agricultural materials because these types of materials can create great environmental damage and also contribute wealth to our economy. Undoubtedly, the exploration of sustainable materials in environmental applications would pave the way for a cleaner environment.

Prof. Dr. P. Senthil Kumar
Dr. Dai-Viet N. Vo
Dr. N. Selvaraju
Prof. Dr. S . Ramalingam
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

eco-friendly
environmental applications
conservation
pollution
sustainable materials
toxicity

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 2581 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synergistic Study of Solid Lubricant Nano-Additives Incorporated in canola oil for Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

by Soumya Sikdar, Md Hafizur Rahman and Pradeep L. Menezes

Sustainability 2022, 14(1), 290; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010290 - 28 Dec 2021

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3178

Abstract

In recent years, with the development of eco-friendly lubricants, different vegetable oils have been studied and found to improve the overall tribological performance compared to petroleum-based oils. Being one of the commonly used vegetable oils, canola oil has become popular due to its non-toxicity and low cost. However, this bio-lubricant lacks tribological performance compared to petroleum-based oils. To improve its performance, sustainable solid additives such as graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) have recently gained the researcher’s attention. While incorporating nanomaterials in the oil as additives is a promising way to improve base oil’s performance, the excessive use of nanoparticles can introduce undesirable effects. This study investigated canola oil’s tribological performances with the addition of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 wt.% GNP and 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 wt.% hBN nanoparticles. The dynamic viscosities of these seven settings showed higher viscosity for GNP-incorporated oils compared to that with hBN. The boundary lubrication regime was targeted for the coefficient of friction (COF) and wear analyses during each pin on the disk test. It was observed that for the GNP, 1.5 wt.% provided the minimum COF (52% less than base oil), whereas, for the hBN, 1.0 wt.% provided the lowest (40% less than base oil) values. Based on these insights, three nano lubricant mixtures were formulated by incorporating both GNP and hBN settings in different ratios. These mixtures provided an optimum positive synergy by reducing 56% friction and 90% wear compared to the base oil. These percentage values were significantly more compared to both GNP and hBN based lubricants in their individual settings. These improvements in the mixture were due to a composite film formed which protected the interacting surfaces and also due to the polishing mechanisms. Therefore, incorporating both these nanoparticles in canola oil could reduce friction and wear and thus help in better energy conservation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Materials for Environmental Applications)

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20 pages, 4811 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Plant Phytoremediation Efficacy for Azolla filiculoides in the Treatment of Textile Effluent and Redemption of Congo Red Dye onto Azolla Biomass

by Sathish Sundararaman, Ponnusamy Senthil Kumar, Prabu Deivasigamani, Aravind Kumar Jagadeesan, Marshiana Devaerakkam, Abdulrahman Al-Hashimi and Dongjin Choi

Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9588; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179588 - 26 Aug 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2900

Abstract

In this work, Azolla filiculoides was used for the bioremediation of a textile effluent and as a potential sorbent for the rejection of Congo red (CR9) dye from a synthetic aqueous solution. The sorbent was characterized, and a pot culture test was carried out to assess the physiological responses in a controlled environment. The response of the plants to the exposure to the emanating pollutants was subordinate. The BOD, COD, and TDS removals were found to be 98.2%, 98.23%, and 90.29%, respectively. Moreover, the dried biomass was studied for the expulsion of CR9, and the process variables were optimized. The maximum CR9 removal was 95% at the optimal conditions of 2 g/L of the sorbent dose at acidic pH. Equilibrium data for adsorption were analyzed using a two-parameter isotherm model. It was observed that the Langmuir isotherm fit with the data (R² = 0.98) and also had satisfactory lower error values, with its maximum sorption capacity reaching 243 mg/g. The pseudo-second-order kinetics were well fitted (R² = 0.98). The mass transfer models and the thermodynamic parameters of the system were evaluated. The regeneration studies also showed that the uptake efficacy in the fifth cycle is reduced by 20% when compared with the first cycle. The results show that the biomass was a capable sorbent for the removal of CR9. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Materials for Environmental Applications)

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21 pages, 30971 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Coagulation-Flocculation of Aquaculture Wastewater Using Green Coagulant from Garcinia kola Seeds: Parametric Studies, Kinetic Modelling and Cost Analysis

by Chinenye Adaobi Igwegbe, Joshua O. Ighalo, Okechukwu Dominic Onukwuli, Ifeoma Amaoge Obiora-Okafo and Ioannis Anastopoulos

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 9177; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169177 - 16 Aug 2021

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3966

Abstract

To achieve sustainability, it is necessary to use proper treatment methods to reduce the pollutant loads of receiving waters. This study investigates the coagulative reduction of turbidity, COD, BOD and colour from aquaculture wastewater (AW) using a novel Garcinia kola seeds coagulant (GKC). This coagulant was obtained from extraction of Garcinia kola seeds and analysed for its spectral and morphological characteristics through FTIR and SEM. The kinetics of coagulation-flocculation were also investigated in terms of total dissolved and suspended solids (TDSP). The seeds had 11.27% protein and 68.33% carbohydrate, showing usability in adsorption/charges neutralisation as a coagulant to reduce particles. Maximal turbidity reduction = 81.93%, COD = 75.03%, BOD = 72.84% and colour = 56.69% at 0.3 g GKC/L, pH 2, 60 min and 303 K were achieved. Von Smoluchowski’s second-order peri-kinetics theory was used to fit the results, giving R² > 0.9. At a coagulation order (α) of 2, the reaction rate (K_C) and half-life (

τ_{S 1 / 2}

) were 0.0003 L/g·min and 25.3 min at the optimal conditions. The sorption data better fit the Lagergren compared to the Ho adsorption model. Furthermore, the net cost of using GKC to handle 1 L of AW (including electricity and material costs) was calculated to be 1.57 EUR, and the costs of 0.3 g/L GKC preparation and energy were 0.27 and 1.30 EUR, respectively. In summary, these seeds can be used to pre-treat AW. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Materials for Environmental Applications)

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9 pages, 39668 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis of β-Ca₂P₂O₇ as an Adsorbent for the Removal of Heavy Metals from Water

by Diana Griesiute, Justina Gaidukevic, Aleksej Zarkov and Aivaras Kareiva

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 7859; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147859 - 14 Jul 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2222

Abstract

In the present work, beta-calcium pyrophosphate (β-Ca₂P₂O₇) was investigated as a potential adsorbent for the removal of heavy metal ions from water. Single-phase β-Ca₂P₂O₇ powders were synthesized by a simple, scalable and cost-effective wet precipitation method followed by annealing at 800 °C, which was employed for the conversion of as-precipitated brushite (CaHPO₄∙2H₂O) to β-Ca₂P₂O₇. Physicochemical properties of the sorbent were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal analysis (TGA/DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and low temperature adsorption–desorption of nitrogen (BET method). The synthesized powders consisted of porous plate-like particles with micrometer dimensions. Specific surface area calculated by the BET method was found to be 7 m² g⁻¹. For the estimation of sorption properties, the aqueous model solutions containing different metal ions (Al³⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Sn²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Zn²⁺) were used. The adsorption test revealed that β-Ca₂P₂O₇ demonstrates the highest adsorption capacity for Pb²⁺ and Sn²⁺ ions, while the lowest capacity was observed towards Sr²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Co²⁺ ions. The optimal pH value for the removal of Pb²⁺ ions was determined to be 2, which is also related to the low solubility of β-Ca₂P₂O₇ at this pH. The adsorption capacity towards Pb²⁺ ions was calculated as high as 120 mg g⁻¹. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Materials for Environmental Applications)

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19 pages, 4722 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimizing of Microalgae Scenedesmus sp. Biomass Production in Wet Market Wastewater Using Response Surface Methodology

by Najeeha Mohd Apandi, Mimi Suliza Muhamad, Radin Maya Saphira Radin Mohamed, Norshuhaila Mohamed Sunar, Adel Al-Gheethi, Paran Gani and Fahmi A. Rahman

Sustainability 2021, 13(4), 2216; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13042216 - 19 Feb 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2934

Abstract

The present study aimed to optimize the production of Scenedesmus sp. biomass during the phycoremediation process. The biomass productivity was optimized using face centred central composite design (FCCCD) in response surface methodology (RSM) as a function of two independent variables that included wet market wastewater concentrations (A) with a range of 10% to 75% and aeration rate (B) with a range of 0.02 to 4.0 L/min. The results revealed that the highest biomass productivity (73 mg/L/d) and maximum growth rate (1.19 day⁻¹) was achieved with the 64.26% of (A) and 3.08 L/min of (B). The GC-MS composition analysis of the biomass yield extract revealed that the major compounds are hexadecane (25%), glaucine (16.2%), and phytol (8.33%). The presence of these compounds suggests that WMW has the potential to be used as a production medium for Scenedesmus sp. Biomass, which has several applications in the pharmaceutical and chemical industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Materials for Environmental Applications)

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Review

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23 pages, 3857 KiB

Open AccessReview

Properties of Cement-Based Materials Containing Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) Glass Waste as Fine Aggregates—A Review

by Jad Bawab, Jamal Khatib, Hilal El-Hassan, Lateef Assi and Mehmet Serkan Kırgız

Sustainability 2021, 13(20), 11529; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132011529 - 19 Oct 2021

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2502

Abstract

Among many alternatives to replace sand in cement-based materials, cathode-ray tube (CRT) glass emerges as a suitable replacement for many reasons. This paper provides a state-of-the-art review on the use of cathode-ray tube (CRT) glass waste in cement-based concrete and mortar in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The new aspects of the research are the literature coverage up to 2021 which would make it distinct from other articles. This review would act as a catalyst to use CRT glass waste in concrete mixtures. A total of 61 papers from literature were analyzed with emphasis on the fresh, mechanical, and durability performance of cement-based materials containing CRT glass waste as fine aggregates. The analysis revealed that the majority of the studies agreed that replacing sand with CRT glass waste increased the consistency where the low permeability of the CRT glass caused this effect. Strength of cement-based materials, on the other hand, decreased due to the weaker bond between the cement paste and the aggregates. The low water absorption of the CRT glass defined its effect on the durability properties of cement-based materials, such as drying shrinkage and water absorption capacity, leading to an improved performance. In addition, CRT glass waste activated the alkali-silica reaction in cement-based materials causing undesirable expansion. Additionally, several investigations proposed solutions to mitigate the lead leaching associated with the lead content found in the CRT glass. In general, it was assessed that CRT glass waste could be a valid component in the production of sustainable cement-based materials, especially for radiation shielding applications. The recommendations for future research are also suggested. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Materials for Environmental Applications)

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