Special Issue "Sustainable Materials for Environmental Applications"

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2021.

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. P. Senthil Kumar
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemical Engineering, Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, Tamil Nadu 603110, India
Interests: adsorption; sustainable materials; wastewater treatment; toxicity; environmental analysis; alternative fuels
Dr. Dai-Viet N. Vo
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Center of Excellence for Green Energy and Environmental Nanomaterials ([email protected]), Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City 755414, Vietnam
Interests: sustainable materials; sustainable technologies; environmental pollution; remediation techniques; alternative fuels
Dr. N. Selvaraju
E-Mail Website
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. S . Ramalingam
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Engineering and Science, College of Science and Engineering, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA 70605, USA
Interests: sustainable materials; environmental pollution and analysis; remediation techniques

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 papers will be 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 1900 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 (4 papers)

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Research

Article
Assessing the Plant Phytoremediation Efficacy for Azolla filiculoides in the Treatment of Textile Effluent and Redemption of Congo Red Dye onto Azolla Biomass
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9588; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179588 - 26 Aug 2021
Viewed by 272
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 [...] Read more.
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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Article
Coagulation-Flocculation of Aquaculture Wastewater Using Green Coagulant from Garcinia kola Seeds: Parametric Studies, Kinetic Modelling and Cost Analysis
Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 9177; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169177 - 16 Aug 2021
Viewed by 417
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). [...] Read more.
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 (KC) and half-life (τS1/2) 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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Article
Synthesis of β-Ca2P2O7 as an Adsorbent for the Removal of Heavy Metals from Water
Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 7859; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147859 - 14 Jul 2021
Viewed by 351
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 [...] Read more.
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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Article
Optimizing of Microalgae Scenedesmus sp. Biomass Production in Wet Market Wastewater Using Response Surface Methodology
Sustainability 2021, 13(4), 2216; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13042216 - 19 Feb 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 825
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 [...] Read more.
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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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Planned paper 1:

Type of manuscript: Article

Title: EFFECT OF ION Nd3+ ON CHARACTERIZATION, PHOTOCATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF ZnFe2O4 NANOPARTICLESof Sciences of Kazakhstan

Abstract: The present study aimed to optimize the production of Scenedesmus sp. biomass during the phy-coremediation process. The biomass productivity was optimized using face centred central com-posite design (FCCCD) in response surface methodology (RSM) as a function of two independ-ent variables included wet market wastewater concentrations (A) with a range of 10% to 75% and aeration rate (B) with a range of 0.02 to 4.0L/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 pres-ence of these compounds suggest that WMW has the potential to be used as a production medi-um for Scenedesmus sp. biomass which have several applications in the pharmaceutical and chemical industry.

Planned paper 2:

Title: Impact of Garcinia kola green coagulant on Aquaculture wastewater pollutants reduction: Coagulation flocculation studies

Authors: Chinenye Adaobi Igwegbe 1,*, Joshua O. Ighalo 1,2, Okechukwu Dominic Onukwuli 1, Ifeoma Amaoge Obiora-Okafo 1, Ioannis Anastopoulos 3,*

Affiliations:

1 Department of Chemical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, P. M. B. 5025, Awka, Nigeria
2 Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ilorin, P. M. B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria
3 Department of Electronics Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Chania, Crete 73100, Greece

Abstract: This study investigates the coagulative reduction of turbidity, COD, BOD, and colour from aquaculture wastewater (AW) using Garcinia kola coagulant (GKC). The coagulant was obtained from the seeds by complex salt extraction technique and was analysed for its spectral and morphological characteristics through the FTIR and SEM. The effects of GKC dosage (0.1-0.5g/L), pH (2-10), temperature (303-323K) and settling time (0-60min) on the pollutants reduction were examined. The process's coagulation-flocculation kinetics 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 color = 56.69% at 0.3 gGKC/L, pH 2, 60 min and 303K is achieved. Von Smoluchowski's second-order perikinetics theory (with) was used to fit the results giving R2>0.9. At coagulation order (α) of 2, the reaction rate (Km) and coagulation-flocculation half-life (τ_(F1/2)) were evaluated as 0.0003 L/g.min and 25.3 min, respectively at the optimal conditions. Furthermore, the net cost of using GKC to handle 1 litre of AW (excluding electricity, material, and labor costs) was calculated to be 3.733€. In summary, these seeds can be used to pretreat AW.

Keywords: Garcinia kola; Aquaculture; Coagulation; Water treatment; Particles; Turbidity

Planned paper 3:

Title: Synergistic Behavior of Solid Lubricant Additives in Canola Oil on Tribological Performance for Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

Authors: Soumya Sikdar, Md Hafizur Rahman, Pradeep L. Menezes *

Affiliations: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA

Abstract: In recent years, the development of multi-phase eco-friendly lubricants improved overall tribological performance compared to petroleum-based oils. Vegetable oil, such as canola oil, being one of the commonly used oil, has become popular in the green world due to its non-toxicity and low cost. However, this bio-lubricant lacks tribological performance compared to petroleum-based oils. Solid lubricant additives have been added to the base oils to improve base oil's performance. However, the excessive use of solid lubricant additives can introduce undesirable effects. In this study, the tribological performance of canola oil was investigated by adding 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 wt.% graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) and 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 wt.% hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nano solid lubricant additives. The kinematic viscosities of these seven settings showed higher viscosity for GNP-incorporated oils compared to that with hBN. Experiments were conducted using pin-on-disk tests under boundary lubrication regime for the coefficient of friction (COF) and wear analyses. 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 GNP and hBN settings in different ratios. These mixtures provided an optimum positive synergy by reducing 61% friction and 80% wear compared to the base oil. The friction and wear reductions for combined solid lubricant additives in canola oil were significantly more compared to their individual settings. These improvements in the mixture were due to a composite film formed, which protected the interacting surfaces by mending and polishing mechanisms. Therefore, incorporating both these nanoparticles in canola oil could reduce friction and wear and thus help in better energy conservation and move towards a sustainable environment.

Keywords: Friction, Wear, Green lubricant, Solid lubricant, Energy conservation, Sustainability

Planned paper 4:

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

Authors and Affiliations:

Jad Bawab 1, Jamal Khatib 1,*, Hilal El-Hassan 2, Lateef Assi 3, Mehemet Serkan Kirgiz 4

1 Faculty of Engineering, Beirut Arab University, Beirut 11-5020, Lebanon; [email protected]

2 College of Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, UAE; [email protected]

3 Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA; [email protected]

4 Engineering Faculty, Department of Civil Engineering, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar 34320,    Istanbul, Turkey; [email protected]

 

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