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Sustainable Materials Research and Technology: Utilizing Waste as a Resource in the Production of a New Generation of Green Materials

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Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue, entitled “Sustainable Materials Research and Technology: Utilizing Waste as a Resource in the Production of a New Generation of Green Materials” focuses on harnessing waste as a resource in the development of green materials. In the face of pressing environmental concerns, this topic gains significance by addressing the urgent need for sustainable practices in material production. By repurposing waste materials, it not only minimizes the environmental impact associated with conventional production processes, but also contributes to a circular economy. Its importance lies in the potential to reduce both emissions and energy consumption, offering innovative solutions for eco-friendly material synthesis. This approach aligns with the broader global imperative to transition towards greener alternatives, thus fostering a paradigm shift in material production that is essential for a more sustainable and resilient future. The advancements in research and technology in this domain hold the key to addressing contemporary environmental concerns and shaping a more responsible and environmentally conscious industrial landscape.

Dr. Farshid Pahlevani
Dr. Smitirupa Biswal
Guest Editors

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16 pages, 10339 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Application Method of Bamboo Powder in Promoting the Development of Sustainable Outdoor Furniture

by Yafei Fan, Ziqian Zhu, Jiacheng Luan and Yi Liu

Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 11282; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162411282 - 23 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1195

Abstract

With the depletion of fossil fuels, more and more green products are appearing in daily necessities. Bamboo is a common sustainable biomaterial with the characteristics of fast growth, easy bending, low cost, and easy processing, and it is widely used in furniture design. However, the poor aging resistance and UV resistance of natural bamboo materials limit their application in outdoor furniture. In order to improve the service life of outdoor bamboo furniture, this study prepared bamboo boards from bamboo powder and utilized them in the design of outdoor furniture. The research was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, functional modification was carried out on the surface of bamboo fibers (BF). Epoxy resin and UV absorber ZnO were introduced into the bamboo powder matrix, and a three-dimensional network structure of bamboo powder-based polymer material was formed by adjusting the material ratio and reaction conditions. With the increase of ZnO content, the absorption of moisture by the bamboo powder-based polymer materials decreased. The compressive strength of 1.5%ZnO-Board reached 36.8 MPa, exceeding the compressive strength of C30 concrete. In the second stage, 1.5% ZnO-Board was selected for solidification and demolding, and used as the seat surface for outdoor chairs. Through the car crushing experiment, the chair panel did not undergo significant deformation during the car crushing process. The anti-aging experiment showed that the structure and morphology of the panel would not be damaged by long-term UV irradiation. The panel did not show any weight changes in the anti-water-absorption experiment. By using low-contrast color combinations, the seats can be organically integrated into the environmental background, effectively enhancing the coordination and unity of the overall aesthetic harmony of the space. Compared with the commonly used plastic outdoor seats, the outdoor seats prepared in this study showed a 144% increase in carbon reduction effect. This study highlights the potential of modified bamboo powder for the design of outdoor furniture, which is of great significance to reducing outdoor plastic products and promoting sustainable life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Materials Research and Technology: Utilizing Waste as a Resource in the Production of a New Generation of Green Materials)

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17 pages, 9009 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Repurposing Quality-Downgraded Fluorinated Carbon Nanotubes as Eco-Additives in Microgel Composites for Sustained Water Release

by Favour Lewechi Ezeogu, Gunendra Prasad Ojha, Promise Uzoamaka Otuokere, Mohammad Tarequl Islam, Tony Grady and Yunxiang Gao

Sustainability 2024, 16(21), 9468; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16219468 - 31 Oct 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1307

Abstract

While significant efforts have been made to recycle metals like lithium or cobalt for sustainable development in the battery industry, the reuse of other high-value materials, such as fluorinated carbon nanotubes (FCNTs), remains underexplored. This study introduces a novel, eco-friendly method to repurpose quality-downgraded FCNTs (QD-FCNTs) as effective nano-additives in polyacrylamide (PAAm) microgel composites for water retention applications. Because QD-FCNTs are rich in surface defects, by employing a mild surface treatment with a low dosage of organic electron donor N,N,N

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-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine, we enhanced the hydrophilicity of QD-FCNTs without additional energy input or a large quantity of harmful chemicals. This treatment significantly improved the interaction between QD-FCNTs and PAAm microgels, leading to a 55% increase in water retention time compared to the composites made of untreated QD-FCNTs. Our findings present a sustainable approach to extending the lifecycle of FCNTs, contributing to the circular economy and offering practical solutions for potential water management in agriculture and environmental technologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Materials Research and Technology: Utilizing Waste as a Resource in the Production of a New Generation of Green Materials)

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