A Comparative Investigation of the Biodegradation Behaviour of Linseed Oil-Based Cross-Linked Composites Filled with Industrial Waste Materials in Two Different Soils

The biodegradation of polymeric biocomposites formed from epoxidized linseed oil and various types of fillers(pine needles,pine bark,grain mill waste,rapeseed cake)and a control sample without filler was studied during 180 days of exposure to two types of forest soil:deciduous and coniferous.The weight loss,morphological,and structural changes of polymer composites were noticed after 180 days of the soil burial test.The greatest weight loss of all tested samples was observed in coniferous forest soil(41.8%–63.2%),while in deciduous forest soil,it ranged between 37.7%and 42.3%.The most significant changes in the intensities of the signals evaluated by attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy,as well as morphological changes determined by scanning electron microscopy,were assessed for polymer composite with rapeseed cake and specimen without filler in coniferous forest soil and are in a good agreement with weight loss results.Whereas significantly lower changes in weight loss,morphology,and structure of polymeric film with pine bark were noticed in both soils.It was suggested that fungi of Trichoderma,Penicillium,Talaromyces and Clonostachys genera are the possible soil microorganisms that degrade linseed oil-based cross-linked polymer composites.Moreover,the novel polymer composites have the potential to be an environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based mulching films.

Review of the fabrication and application of porous materials from silicon-rich industrial solid waste

Porous materials have promise as sound insulation, heat barrier, vibration attenuation, and catalysts. Most industrial solid wastes, such as tailings, coal gangue, and fly ash are rich in silicon. Additionally, a high silicon content waste is a potential raw material for the syn- thesis of silicon-based, multi-porous materials such as zeolites, mesoporous silica, glass-ceramics, and geopolymer foams. Representative sil- icon-rich industrial solid wastes (SRISWs) are the focus of this mini review of the processing and application of porous silicon materials with respect to the physical and chemical properties of the SRISW. The transformation methods of preparing porous materials from SRISWs are summarized, and their research status in micro-, meso-, and macro-scale porous materials are described. Possible problems in the application of SRISWs and in the preparation of functional porous materials are analyzed, and their development prospects are discussed. This review should provide a typical reference for the recycling and use of industrial solid wastes to develop sustainable “green materials.”

A Review on the Utilization of Waste Material for Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Production

Autoclaved aerated concrete(AAC)has become more attractive due to its excellent and environmental-friendly properties in building construction.AAC is relatively lightweight,possesses lower thermal conductivity,higher heat resistance,lower shrinkage,and fasten construction than normal concrete.AAC is a combination of silica sand,cement,gypsum,lime,water,and an expansion agent.To improve its physical and mechanical properties and reduce its production cost,tremendous innovations where waste materials were utilized as partial replacement of AAC materials were done.This paper is intended to present the literature on the utilization of waste materials as a means of a partial replacement in AAC materials to enhance its physical and mechanical properties and thermal performance.The physical properties such as microstructure and mechanical properties such as density,compressive strength,water absorption are presented to classify the investigation that has been done in such innovations.Apart from that,the discussion on innovations to improve its thermal performance was also presented.Based on the review,an increase of AAC application causes much waste at construction sites and recycling concrete waste powder into wall concrete;particularly,an AAC was not frequently practiced in construction.

Hexavalent Chromium Adsorption from Aqueous Solution by Agricultural Waste Materials

Abilities of agricultural waste materials (walnut shell-WS, rice husk-RH, and peanut hull-PH) were tested as adsorbents for the adsorption of Cr(Ⅵ) from aqueous solution. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to study the adsorption kinetics mechanism of Cr(Ⅵ) effect of adsorbent dosage, pH, contact time, and temperature. The best results are obtained at 15g/L adsorbent concentration, 60min contact time, 298K temperature, and 50mg/L adsorbate initial concentration at pH 2. The adsorption isotherms, using initial concentrations of Cr(Ⅵ) between 10 and 500mg/L for the Cr(Ⅵ) removal, show the maximum metal uptake capacities of adsorbent were 10.48, 6.71, and 8.54mg/g for WS, RH, and PH, respectively. And the adsorption data fitted well to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm for WS, RH, and PH with correlation coefficients of 0.9862, 0.9723, and 0.9714, respectively. Moreover, the FTIR analysis of WS, RH, and PH before and after adsorption of Cr(Ⅵ) suggested that Cr ions were combined to some functional groups of compounds contained in these materials.

Structure Characterization and Dephosphorization Effect Analysis of Oyster Shell-silica Micropowder Waste Water Dephosphorization Materials

In this work,the effects of pH value of waste water and initial concentration of phosphorus on dephosphorization materials were investigated.The materials were prepared by shaping,sintering and hydrothermal reshaping oyster shell and silica micro-powder.Different concentrations of phosphorus-contained waste water were simulated with potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution,the effect of dephosphorization was tested with phosphomolybdenum blue spectrophotometer method,and the crystal phase and microstructure of materials were characterized by XRD and SEM methods. It was indicated that dephosphorization was completed in 6 h when the initial phosphorus concentration in waste water was lower than 15 mg/L, and the dephosphorization time prolonged as the increase of phosphorus concentration. It was observed that the pH value of waste water influenced dephosphorization significantly, and neutral subalkalic environment favored dephosphorization. When the pH value was 11, the efficiency of dephosphozation was the greatest. For waste water with an initial concentration of 20 mg/L, the dephosphozation rate is close to 100% in8 h.

Effect of Friction Reclaimed Materials of Waste Brake-shoe on Basic Performance of Mortar

Discarded train brake shoes mainly consist of steel-backed friction material. To be better reutilized, its essential features and its interaction in cement-based material need to be studied. Consequently, particle size analysis, SEM, IR and TGA were used to investigate two types of waste brake shoes, i e, mechanical grinding friction reclaimed material of waste brake-shoe（G-FRMWBS） and pyrolysis-friction reclaimed materials of waste brake-shoe（P-FRMWBS）. The latter exhibited less organic content, larger range of particle size distribution and smaller medium particle diameter. Both types contained inorganic particles of spherical and irregular shapes, striped with steel fiber. Upon isometric substituting fine aggregates, G-FRMWBS lifted the strength of mortar effectively that was increased by 16.6% and 17.5% when the replacing rate was 5%; the value went up to 19.2% and 19.2% when the replacing rate was 10%. Moreover, inclusion of FRMWBS enhanced the chloride penetration resistance, and optimized the pore characteristic and ITZ（interfacial transition zone） as well.

Application Index of Enviromental Engineering by Using Carrier of Waste Material for Belt Seeding Establishment

According to the principle of belt seeding establishment of adhesive bonded fabric,applied indexes of belt seeding establishment effect were studied using carrier combination of several kinds of waste meterials under soil cover.The results showed that the effect depended on the coordinated characteristics of carrier combination from turfgrass and waste materials.It was testified that production of belt seeding was feasible using a certain kind of waste material carrier under given conditions.The study provided a scientific basis for applying evvironmental engineering to belt seeding establishment of waste materials and developing nwe industry of environmental protection.

Exploration on the Recycling of Waste Building Materials in Comprehensive Land Consolidation from the Perspective of Ecological Civilization

The necessity and difficulties of waste building material utilization in comprehensive land consolidation are put forward by analyzing the source,quantity and harm of waste building materials.Combined with the practice of Shanghai,the mechanism and pattern of waste building materials recycling are explored,in order to provide the reference for recycling of waste building materials and efficient promotion of land consolidation.

Is Waste Material from Urban Ruins Valuable to the Landscape?

With the adjustment of urban industrial structure,a large number of ruins have emerged in cities,and the waste materials left by these ruins not only occupy urban space resources,but also seriously damage the ecological environment.How to identify the value of waste materials through landscape thinking and how to rationally reuse these waste materials through landscape methods is the focus of this paper.

Soil Improvement Using Waste Materials:A Review

With the industrialisation,industrial byproducts are produced in large quantities and create nuisance to natural habitats.The disposal of these wastes like fly ash,marble powder,construction and demolition(C&D)waste,brick powder,agricultural wastes etc.has become the potential threat to the ecosystem and need some real solutions.The direct disposal of such wastes into open land or water bodies causes circumambient pollution.One of the potential solutions is to utilise these wastes in the construction industry on large scale as subgrade rehab or additive to cement based materials.In the present study,the compaction and strength characteristics of stabilised soil have been studied by using various waste materials i.e.lime,cement,plastic waste,industrial waste,fibre,mushroom waste,wet olive pomace etc.and reviewed.The addition of additives improved the engineering properties of soil significantly.

Biofuel Recovery from Plantain and Banana Plant Wastes:Integration of Biochemical and Thermochemical Approach

Globally,fossil fuel dependence has created several environmental challenges and climate change.Hence,creating other alternative renewable and ecologically friendly bio-energy sources is necessary.Lignocellulosic biomass has gained significant attention recently as a renewable material for biofuel production.The large amounts of plantain and banana plant parts wasted after harvesting,as well as the peels generated daily by the fruit market and industries,demonstrate the potential of bioenergy resources.This review briefly assesses plantain and banana plant biomass(PBB)generated in the developing,developed,and underdeveloped countries,the consumable parts,and feasible products yield.It emphasized the advantages and disadvantages of the commonly adopted treatment technologies of composting,incineration,and landfilling.Further,the utilization of PBB as catalysts in biodiesel synthesis was briefly highlighted.To optimize recovery of biofuel,different integration routes of pyrolysis,anaerobic digestion,fermentation,hydrothermal carbonization,hydrothermal liquefaction,and hydrothermal gasification for the valorization of the PBB were proposed.The complex compounds present in the PBB(hemicellulose,cellulose,and lignin)can be converted into valuable bio-products such as methane gas and bio-ethanol for bioenergy,and nutrients to promote bioactive ingredients.The investigation of the viability and innovation potential of the integrated routes’technology is necessary to improve the circular bio-economy and the recovery of biofuels from biomass waste,particularly PBB.

High Efficient Enrichment and Activated Dissolution of Refractory Low Grade Rh-containing Material

Aiming to the low-grade rhodium-containing waste materials, a new process was proposed to enrich and activate rhodium by smelting using iron oxide as a trapping agent and activator. A rhodium concentrate was obtained by the separation of base metals and precious metals. The concentrate was reacted with dilute aqua regia to obtain rhodium solution. The factors influencing the enrichment and activation effects were discussed in this paper. The results showed that the dissolution rate is greater than 99% under the optimum conditions. In this process, the activation of rhodium was finished in the enrichment process. The iron oxide is both a trapping agent and activator, which simplifies the process and reduce the cost.

Highly efficient recovery of waste LiNi_(x)Co_(y)Mn_(z)O_(2) cathode materials using a process involving pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy

Substantial environmental and economic benefits can be achieved by recycling used lithium-ion batteries. Hydrometallurgy is often employed to recover waste LiNi_(x)Co_(y)Mn_(z)O_(2) cathode materials. As Ni, Co and Mn are transition metals, they exhibit similar properties;therefore, separating them is difficult. Thus, most researchers have focused on leaching processes, while minimal attention has been devoted to the separation of valuable metals from waste LiNi_(x)Co_(y)Mn_(z)O_(2) cathode materials. Herein, we propose an environment-friendly, gentle process involving the usage of pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy to gradually leach valuable metals and effectively separate them. Interestingly, Li is recovered through a reduction roasting and water leaching process using natural graphite powder, Ni and Co are recovered through ammonia leaching and extraction processes and Mn is recovered through acid leaching and evaporation–crystallization processes. Results show that ~87% Li, 97.01% Co, 97.08% Ni and 99% Mn can be leached using water, ammonia and acid leaching processes. The result obtained using the response surface methodology shows that the concentration of (NH4)2SO3 is a notable factor affecting the leaching of transition metals. Under optimal conditions, ~97.01% Co, 97.08% Ni and 0.64% Mn can be leached out. The decomposition of LiNi_(x)Co_(y)Mn_(z)O_(2) is a two-step process. This study provides valuable insights to develop an environment-friendly, gentle leaching process for efficiently recycling valuable metals, which is vital for the lithium-ion battery recycling industry.

Towards the Recovery of By-Product Metals from Mine Wastes:An X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy Study on the Binding State of Rhenium in Debris from a Centennial Iberian Pyrite Belt Mine

Rhenium is a very scarce element, occurring in the Earth's crust mainly carried by molybdenite (MoS2). Due to a very low availability comparative to actual industrial demand, rhenium is nowadays one of the most expensive mineral commodities and an increased interest is focused on ex- ploring residues resulting from a long-term mining, particularly of sulphide ore deposits. It is therefore noteworthy to assign the presence of rhenium (in a concentration up to 3 ppm) in the waste materials from the old sulphur factory at the abandoned mine of Sao Domingos (Iberian Pyrite Belt, Southeast Portugal), exploited since the Roman occupation of Iberia. Aiming at a potential sustainable recovery of rhenium as a by-product, X-ray near-edge absorption spectroscopy (XANES) was applied to clarify the Re-binding and mode of occurrence by comparing Re L3-edge XANES spectra obtained from mine waste samples (previously fully characterized by X-ray laboratory techniques) with similar spectra collected from Re-rich molybdenites (Mo1-xRexS2) and from Re-O model compounds configuring various valences and coordination environments of rhenium ions. Obtained results are commented, ruling out a possible Re-S binding and rather conforming with the binding of rhenium to oxygen in the analysed mine waste materials.

Investigation of Excessive Material on Insulating Properties Using Different Heat Transfer Fluid for Thermal Energy Storage Development

Though TES （thermal energy storage） is developed hugely in most of the solar power generation plants, it is less growth in implementing a modular type of TES in a solar plant, e.g., solar dish/stifling engine application. The main issue in designing the TES system is its thermal capacity of storage materials, e.g., insulator. This study is focusing on the potential waste material as an insulator for thermal energy storage applications. The insulator usage is to reduce the heat transfer between two mediums and the capability is measured by its resistance to heat flow. It is needed to obtain optimal materials to energy conversion at the same time reduce the waste generation. Therefore, a small-scale experimental testing of natural cooling process of an insulated tank within a confined room without any forced cooling system, e.g., fan. The testing is repeated by changing the insulator using the potential waste material from natural and industrial waste and also by changing the HTF （heat transfer fluid）. The analysis is performed on the relationship between heat loss and the reserved period by the insulator. The results indicate the percentage of period of the insulated tank withstands the heat compared to non-insulated tank, e.g., cotton reserved the period of 14% more than non-insulated tank to withstand the heat transfer of cooking oil to the surrounding. The paper finally justifies the most potential waste material as an insulator in different heat transfer fluids.

Continuous Preparation of Chitosan‑Based Self‑Powered Sensing Fibers Recycled from Wasted Materials for Smart Home Applications

Currently,the gradual depletion of fossil resources and the large amount of plastic waste are causing serious harm to the land and marine ecology.The rapid development of wearable smart fibers is accompanied by rapid growth in the material demand for fibers,and the development of green and high-performance biomass-based fibers has become an important research topic to reduce the dependence on synthetic fiber materials and the harm to the environment.Here,chitosan is first prepared from the waste material by chemical methods.Then the chitosan-based self-powered induction fibers are prepared by electrospinning core wire technique.Chitosan-based self-powered sensing fiber is ultra-light and flexible,which can achieve about 2500 collisions without damaging the surface.Chitosan-based self-powered sensing fiber can also be used in smart home sensing applications to control home appliance switches with a light touch,which has a great application prospect in smart home and wearable fields.

Feasibility Study of Applying Recycled Aggregate from Building Debris in Concrete

Coarse and fine aggregate constitutes an average of approximately 55% to 80% of the total volume of concrete materials.Concrete remains the most commonly-used building material worldwide.As a result,the massive use of aggregate will have a direct impact on the earth′s natural resources if an appropriate replacement material is not found,violating the spirit of sustainable development.This study makes a preliminary examination of using coarse and fine aggregate produced from discarded construction materials in concrete.Results indicate that the compressive strength of densified mixture concrete at 28 days can reach 56.88 MPa(recycled materials used as coarse aggregate,and natural sand used as fine aggregate)and 53.33 MPa(recycled materials used as both coarse and fine aggregate).While this type of material is not yet fully understood,further research into this area should enable feasible applications in concrete.However,unsuitable mixtures have serious impact on the durability and overall economy of concrete.Pending further research on suitable mixture designs,a complete application of recycled aggregate in concrete can be expected.

Mn3O4/carbon nanotube nanocomposites recycled from waste alkaline Zn–MnO2 batteries as high-performance energy materials

Alkaline zinc manganese dioxide（Zn–MnO2）batteries are widely used in everyday life. Recycling of waste alkaline Zn–MnO2 batteries has always been a hot environmental concern. In this study, a simple and costeffective process for synthesizing Mn3O4/carbon nanotube（CNT） nanocomposites from recycled alkaline Zn–MnO2 batteries is presented. Manganese oxide was recovered from spent Zn–MnO2 battery cathodes. The Mn3O4/CNT nanocomposites were produced by ball milling the recovered manganese oxide in a commercial multi-wall carbon nanotubes（MWCNTs） solution. Scanning electron microscopy（SEM） analysis demonstrates that the nanocomposite has a unique three-dimensional（3D） bird nest structure. Mn3O4 nanoparticles are homogeneously distributed on MWCNT framework. Mn3O4/CNT nanocomposites were evaluated as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries, exhibiting a highly reversible specific capacitance of -580 mA h·g^-1 after 100 cycles. Moreover, Mn3O4/CNT nanocomposite also shows a fairly positive onset potential of -0.15 V and quite high oxygen reducibility when considered as an electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction.

Studies on the sound absorption and transmission loss performances of wood-based, natural and wastematerials

The sound absorption and sound transmission loss performances of the natural woods,hard and soft processed woods with attachment of the various natural orwastematerials were investigated in the present study using impedance tube with American Society for Testing Material(ASTM)standards.The sound absorption performances of all natural and all hard processed woods were very poor.It was found that filter mat made by the coconut fibre was the best material for sound absorption improvement of the hard processed woods.The sound absorption performance of the soft processed wood(cork)was better than all natural and all hard processed woods.Among all tested woods,it was found that the cork with attached tea bag made by corn fibre is the best selection for sound absorption application.The transmission loss performances of all natural woods were good.The effects of various materials on the transmission loss performances of all hard processed woods were not very significant.For cork with and without attachment of various materials,their transmission loss performances were not as good as the hard processed woods.Among all tested woods,it was found that Pterocarpus soyauxii and Quercus spp.(natural woods)are the best woods to be used in those applications when prevention of sound transmission is needed.It is recommended that cork is the best wood to be used in those applications where sound absorption and prevention of sound transmission are needed at the same time due to its good sound absorption performance while its ability on prevention of the sound transmission is also acceptable.

Waste Materials to Replace Natural Resources

A number of waste materials were studied on their application into asphalt mixtures. Materials tested were plastic waste as (soft) granular material,ceramic waste from electrical insulators,foundry sand and sintered granulate from burned household waste. Both plastic waste,crushed ceramics and large fractions of sintered household waste could be used as partial replacement for coarse aggregates. Foundry sand could partially replace natural sand in asphalt mixtures. The first step of the study was to find out if the waste materials could satisfy basic requirements and for some if their leaching behavior was acceptable. In the next phase mixtures were designed and mechanical tests were done on several mixtures with waste components to determine indirect tensile strength,stiffness,fatigue. In order to estimate the water sensitivity of some mixtures,retained indirect tension tests were done. The properties are reported and compared with each other and reference mixtures. From the research it becomes clear that it takes a lot of work to replace virgin materials in asphalt mixtures with waste materials.