Universal Journal of Carbon Research

A Review of Advances in Carbon Dioxide Capture with the Aim of Reusing Them as Fuel

2024-01-25T14:35:11+08:00

Currently, converting CO₂ from industrial exhaust into fuel is a challenging issue that many researchers are working on. As it is obvious, adsorption and conversion are two distinct processes, and there is a need for special materials and conditions to occur in each of them. Lately, there have been efforts to combine these two steps by using dual functional materials (DFMs) and making adsorbents and catalysts simultaneously. DFMs comprise two components. The first component of DFMs is the adsorbent, which researchers can get from oxides, carbonates, or both. The second component is the catalyst, which is typically made of metallic elements, such as Nickel or Ruthenium. Capturing systems of CO₂ by DFMs, innovative developments, and suggested ways to boost the efficiency of CO₂ capture are discussed in this review. DFMs made with changed adsorbents perform better in CO₂ adsorption and conversion, according to sources.

Emerging Trends of Miniaturized Carbon Nanomaterial Based Energy Storage Microdevices

2024-05-17T16:18:40+08:00

Off lately, an increasing reliance on energy-consuming equipment has resulted from the tremendous growth of industry. Owing to the rapid increase in energy use, coupled with the environmental impact of traditional energy supplies, a quest of energy storage device development has begun. Hence, supercapacitors with strategic designs have been developed extensively in last couple of years. This review aims to concise a brief account of the emerging trends in designing of supercapacitors. A snapshot of various materials being used for the development of energy storage device is discussed. New materials such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, perovskites, MXenes, and other nanostructures that can enhance the performance of supercapacitor are being analysed. This review focus primarily on carbon nanomaterial based supercapacitors explored in last couple of years. Electrodes mainly control capacitance, power density, and energy storage, therefore, carbon based electrodes have proven to be significant in this aspect. Various carbon materials give high performance and these have been tabulated in this review for a better understanding. In further, state-of-the-art approaches adapted for fabrication of supercapacitors are also discussed here. Overall, this review gives information about carbon based emerging supercapacitors for the researchers to understand their working, research gap and future prospects.

Strength Characteristics of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic in Shear and Cyclic Extension-Compression after 7 Years of Climate Exposure

2024-01-23T16:54:36+08:00

The results of studies of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) for aviation purposes based on the Cycom 977-2 epoxy binder and Tenax® IMS carbon fibers after 7 years of exposure under a canopy and on an open atmospheric stand in the warm humid climate of Sochi are presented. The influence of climatic aging is determined by the change in strength parameters during interlaminar shear and cyclic tension – compression. After exposure under a canopy, the strength characteristics during interlaminar shear and cyclic tension–compression increase by 7–13 %. If the plate is under the direct influence of solar radiation, then the strength characteristics of the material are slightly reduced, but remain at the level of the original values. The kinetic concept of fracture was used to interpret the results. The thermal activation analysis showed that the characteristics of the inelasticity of the plate specimens, both in terms of the relaxation and hysteresis parts of energy absorption, correspond to their strength characteristics.

Rediscovering monoalkyl carbonates: a class of ubiquitous compounds

2024-05-06T09:13:06+08:00

Monoalkyl carbonates (MACs) or, more broadly, hemiesters of carbonic acid (HECAs), constitute a class of compounds that are omnipresent in our lives, once formed by the reaction of carbon dioxide with alcohols. Despite their commonness, MACs are elusive in solution and went largely unnoticed by most researchers until the recent resurgence of interest in studying their properties, relevance (e.g., in CO₂ capture), and analysis (for example, in foods, drinks, and sugars), by using techniques like NMR, MS, and CE. This literature review, spanning almost two centuries, sheds light on the importance of the chemistry of MACs. Their subtle formation can be responsible for significant changes in the charge and electronic characteristics of compounds with an alcohol functional group, altering properties such as solubility, polarity, diffusion coefficient, and conductivity. Such changes in properties lead to the hypothesis that MAC formation may play an important role also in the biological environment, including membrane transport. Many questions remain open in the rich emerging research field of the chemistry of MACs, and better understanding is essential for advancing the knowledge of these ubiquitous compounds and their potential impact on various processes and products.

Research of the Process of Electrochemical Deposition of Chromium in the Presence of a Composite Compound Based on Detonation Diamond-Containing Carbon

2024-02-02T15:29:59+08:00

The purpose of the study is to develop a method for obtaining high-quality electrochemical chromium coating using a new type of diamond-containing additive that has significant advantages over traditionally used detonation nanodiamonds (DNA) in the form of aqueous suspensions. Detonation diamond-containing carbon (DDC) obtained by detonation of charges from tetryl was used as an additive. DDC contains 63,0 wt. % DNA and 4.4 wt. % non-combustible impurities. We used standard chromium electrolyte: CrO₃ - 250 g/l, H₂SO₄ – 2,5 g/l, DNA – from 0,2 to 5 g/l, traditional methodologies and algorithm of experimentation. The scope of the study is limited to the creation and application of a specific, easy to handle and prepare formulation with DDC. DDC can be added to the standard chromium electrolyte directly or in the form of freshly prepared aqueous suspension, it is environmentally safe.

The originality of the work lies in the application of a cheap diamond-containing product obtained directly after the explosion of an individual explosive (tetryl) and providing stability of DDC suspensions. An increase in microhardness of wear-resistant chrome coating by 1,5 times (up to 11 GPa) and hard chrome coating by 1,7 times (up to 13,3 GPa) was achieved. The wear resistance of the obtained coatings increased by 1,9 times. Concentration (per pure detonation nanodiamond (DNA)) from 0,63 to 3,15 g/l in the electrolyte (very low).

Syngas application in various engines

2024-06-05T15:48:03+08:00

Current engines are not designed to use syngas as fuel, which presents challenges such as differences in air-to-fuel ratio and fuel properties compared to traditional fuels like gasoline and diesel. This research recommends applying dual combustion, regulating pressure rate, using catalysts and employing EGR (exhaust gas recirculation), in order to improve engine efficiencies while reducing emissions. This study concludes that syngas is more effectively utilized in diesel and HCCI engines (homogeneous charge compression ignition) than in gasoline engines due to the cycle variations impacting efficiency. With technological advancements, syngas and other alternative fuels can be developed to reduce emissions and production cost, justifying their implementation.

Status quo of graphene geology in Brazil: mineralogical, petrological and materials science contributions

2024-03-04T17:29:11+08:00

This study investigates the current status of graphene geology in Brazil, highlighting its mineralogical, petrological, and materials science contributions. Three approaches are presented: (I) the natural production of graphene from graphite nanoplates in sheared rocks, (II) the geological simulation under laboratory conditions, and (III) the evolution of electrical resistance in geological formations containing graphite and talc. All reviewed studies underscore the efficacy of graphene production in particular geological contexts, demonstrating its efficient formation within shear zones. The results indicate that graphene stabilises in talc and exhibits improvement in electrical conductivity under specific thermodynamic geological conditions, suggesting abundant natural sources that are economically viable and possess industrial applications. A comparative analysis shows that, although natural graphite nanoplates are thicker than graphene, they still qualify as nanomaterials and demonstrate promising technological potential. The research contributes to understanding the natural formation of graphene and highlights its practical applications in the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolution.

Iridescent Patterns Production from Solid Film Cellulose Nanocrystals Prepared from Coffee Husks

2024-05-28T09:04:59+08:00

The dire need for environmental conservation has spurred the exploration of novel approaches for developing biodegradable and sustainable materials sourced from natural origins, particularly for engineering applications and these include cellulose. Utilizing coffee husks, a waste product from coffee production, offers a sustainable source of cellulose, effectively diverting waste from the environment and turning it into a valuable and profitable resource. The cellulose content within coffee husks were extracted through alkaline treatment, after which, acid hydrolysis was done, yielding cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) that were utilised to create iridescent films. The process involved treating the coffee husks with sodium hydroxide to obtain cellulose, followed by bleaching with sodium hypochlorite. Acid hydrolysis using gaseous HCl was then employed yielding cellulose nanocrystals. The application of HCl improved the iridescent film quality for secure sheets by preventing the whiskers that are usually seen when sulfuric acid is used. This raises the overall quality and security of the finished product. To avoid contamination, the CNC suspension was carefully transferred into Petri dishes made of polystyrene, and the suspension evaporated at controlled temperature in an oven, resulting in a solid CNC film. To introduce patterns on the film, the Petri dish containing the CNC suspension was placed on a mold engraved with a specific pattern. Heating of the mold imparted different colors onto the film. The outcome of heating the CNC Suspension involved the self-assembly of CNCs into a multitude of colorful and iridescent films possessing unique optical properties. Additionally, these films exhibited water resistance, luminous color variations based on viewing angles, fluorescence, and reflection of left-handed circularly. The value addition of coffee husk waste, which makes it a cleaner environmental product while producing security sheets, is the significance of this work particularly the inclusion of cyclic redundancy, which guarantees improved security features.

Exploring Sustainable Supply Chain Management Practice and Environmental Performance: A Systematic Review Perspective

2023-12-19T15:46:06+08:00

Weather conditions transformation has exacerbated humanity challenges as nations continue to struggle between carbon reduction and rapid industrial economic development. Although, both developed and developing countries reaffirmed their solemn promise to mitigate existing carbon emission, research on sustainable development, eco-friendly, and low-carbon supply chain links remain unstudied. As a result, the study responds to the research interrogation: "Why and in what way are businesses adopting to sustainable strategies to promote sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) in their production?" In response, the researchers obtain and synthesis 19 literature papers for constructive analysis and interpretation from the Scopus database which has the reputation of housing peer-reviewed articles in a broader range of study disciplines. The findings indicate, it is imperative for organization to enhances their SSCM activities such as waste management and re-manufacturing, eco-friendly manufacturing and remanufacturing, logistics in reversal and networking plan, green manufacturing, green purchasing, green operation and low-carbon supply chains. Moreover, to maintain the supply chain operations for the global benefit, businesses must evaluate and acknowledge their primary sustainable risk activities from the previous through to the present, and the forthcoming structural plan.

Stochastic dynamics mass spectrometric structural analysis of poly(methyl methacrylate)

2024-03-12T15:12:18+08:00

Polymers such as poly(methyl methacrylate), comprising of all-carbon backbones are regarded as ubiquitous functional materials mainly due to their low cost, unique physical properties, and impressive robustness. The latter properties are results from relative chemical inertness of the polymer backbone carbon–carbon bonds. The highlighted stability crucially challenges not only innovations to plastic recycling polymer materials, but also developments of reliable analytical protocols for determining both quantitatively and structurally polymers. Despite, the fact that there are numerous applications of mass spectrometric methods to polymer science, the analysis involves chiefly annotation of monomers of polymers and additives, owing to the fact that the additives are low molecular weight analytes. The exact structural determining of end-chain groups, particularly highlighting chemically substituted end carbon–carbon bond represents significant challenge even utilizing the superior features of the analytical mass spectrometric instrumentation. This study, in the latter context, illustrates innovative stochastic dynamics approach and model equations capable of not only determining unambiguously substituted carbon–carbon end chain of the entitled polymer but also to predict mass spectra of its derivatives: thus, extending crucially the applicability of the method to many fields of the fundamental scientific and industrial research. The latter claim is argued still at the beginning of the study with the achieved method performances showing |r|=0.9999₈. The study utilizes experimental and theoretical mass spectrometric data on high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry; high accuracy quantum chemical static methods, molecular dynamics; and chemometrics.