Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology

Kumar J.A., Prakash P., Krithiga T., Amarnath D.J., Premkumar J., Rajamohan N., Vasseghian Y., Saravanan P., Rajasimman M.

MXene, comprised of two-dimensional transition metal carbides/nitride, has emerged as a novel material suitable for environmental remediation of toxic compounds. Due to their inherent and superior physical and chemical properties, MXene is employed in separation techniques like photocatalysis, adsorption, and membrane separation. MXene is equipped with a highly hydrophilic surface, ion exchange property, and robust surface functional groups. In this review paper, a comprehensive discussion on the structural patterns, preparation, properties of MXene and its application for the removal of toxic pollutants like Radionuclide, Uranium, Thorium, and dyes is presented. The mechanism of removal of the pollutants by MXene is extensively reviewed. Synthesis of MXene based membranes, their properties, and application for water purification and properties were also discussed. This review will be highly helpful to understand critically the methods of synthesis and use of MXene material for priority environmental pollutants removal. In addition, the challenges behind the synthesis and use of MXene for decontamination of pollutants were reviewed and reported. • The structural patterns of MXene and its different formula are reviewed. • The synthesis of 2D MXenes by primary techniques (Top-down and Bottom-up) was briefly reviewed. • Mechanical, Electronic, Optical, Oxidative stability, Magnetic nature and Hydrogen storage properties of MXene are reviewed. • This review emphasis the environmental application of toxic pollutant removal on MXene.

Lee S.J., Theerthagiri J., Nithyadharseni P., Arunachalam P., Balaji D., Madan Kumar A., Madhavan J., Mittal V., Choi M.Y.

The demand for sustainable energy storage and production is vital and continues to grow with increasing human population. Energy utilization and environmental protection demand urgent attention in the development of energy devices, including the expansion and assessment of earth abundant and inexpensive materails. Recently, two-dimensional (2D) structured graphene has emerged as an outstanding energy material due to its excellent physicochemical properties, for example, high thermal and electrical conductivity, high surface area, strong mechanical strength, and an excellent chemical stability. However, pure graphene has a band gap of zero significantly limiting its application as a material. Among the various approaches used to alter the properties of graphene is doping with a heteroatom, which has been shown to be an efficient process in tailoring the properties of 2D-graphene. Heteroatom-doped graphene has several improved physicochemical properties, making graphene a favorable material for application in various fields. In this review, we report the usage and advancement of heteroatom-doped graphene materials in various energy conversion and storage technologies, including supercapacitors, batteries, dye-sensitized solar cells, and hydrogen production from electrocatalytic water splitting. Furthermore, we have also highlighted the recent developments made to date and systematically discuss physicochemical mechanisms, and the precise advantages obtained by the doping of heteroatoms. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives for heteroatom-doped graphene materials are outlined. The information provided in this review should be useful to any researchers involved in the field of graphene research for wide-ranging applications, and structural-oriented (morphology, structure, size and composition) research. • Progression of heteroatom-doped graphene materials in energy fields is overviewed. • Synergistic effects of heteroatoms with graphene are highlighted in energy application. • Developments on synthetic strategies for the fabrication of materials are described. • Challenges for heteroatom-doped graphene in energy fields are mentioned. • Effective electrochemical properties and future perspectives are discussed.

Samrot A.V., Sahithya C.S., Selvarani A J., Purayil S.K., Ponnaiah P.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have been recognized in numerous fields including nanobiotechnology, biomedical engineering, and many other fields for its inestimable applications. Superparamagnetic property and the smaller size of SPIONs are the major reasons for its utilization in various fields. In this review, the overall view on work done so far on SPIONS is detailed. Where, it started with different methods of synthesis of SPIONs including various types physical (such as gas-phase deposition, pulsed laser ablation, power ball milling), chemical (chemical co-precipitation, micro-emulsions, hydrothermal synthesis) and biological methods (using bacteria and plant) and are also elaborated. Its properties and characteristics are detailed. The formulation of SPIONs into drug-laden nanocarrier for exhibiting targeted drug delivery and its use in cancer treatment as hyperthermia is emphasised. Its various other applications consist of radiation therapy, environmental remediation, tissue engineering etc., which are also elaborated.

Theerthagiri J., Senthil R.A., Nithyadharseni P., Lee S.J., Durai G., Kuppusami P., Madhavan J., Choi M.Y.

The need for clean energy production and utilization is urgent and continues to grow due to the serious issues of human population growth and environmental pollution. The energy crisis is driving the demand for novel and innovative materials for the development of alternative energy sources and the fabrication of innovative energy storage devices. Supercapacitors are emerging electrochemical energy devices for future clean energy technologies. Supercapacitors have several distinctive features, such as rapid charging rates, high power densities, long cycle lives, and simple configurations. Thus, supercapacitors can serve as bridges to span the power gap between conventional capacitors and batteries or fuel cells. The current state of supercapacitor research is summarized in this review, and rapid progress in the basic development and practical application of supercapacitors is highlighted. A concise review of the technologies and working mechanisms of different supercapacitors is presented along with recent developments in the application of transition metal sulfide-based materials in electrochemical supercapacitors. Nanostructured transition metal sulfides have gained prominence as advanced electrode materials for an electrochemical supercapacitor due to their outstanding properties. These include good electrical conductivity, high specific capacity, low electronegativity, unique crystal structures, and high redox activity. The electrochemical performance of transition metal sulfides is superior to that of transition metal oxides which is attributed to the replacement of oxygen atoms with sulfur atoms. In this context, special emphasis is placed on nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, tin, manganese, and tungsten metal sulfides and their composites as advanced electrode materials for supercapacitor applications. Finally, the benefits and challenges of using transition metal sulfide-based electrode materials for future clean energy storage are discussed.

Gopinath K.P., Vo D.N., Gnana Prakash D., Adithya Joseph A., Viswanathan S., Arun J.

Environmental pollution is a major issue, yet actual remediation techniques are limited. Carbon-based materials are increasingly used to treat air and water. Here we review the applications of carbon nanomaterials made of biochar, activated carbon, carbon nanotubes and graphene for the adsorption of toxic gases, the removal of pollutants from ecosystems, and the improvement of anaerobic digestion. Carbon materials have been found efficient in removing nitric oxide, hydrogen sulfide, heavy metals, dyes, pharmaceutical compounds and other pollutants from the environment, with adsorption efficiencies reaching 80% and degradation efficiencies up to 99%. Biochar addition induces a 60% improvement in biogas production. Similarly, in composting, up to 60% less ammonia emissions were observed when biochar was added. Biomass-based carbon materials appear economical, sustainable and eco-friendly.

Enmozhi S.K., Raja K., Sebastine I., Joseph J.

SARS-CoV-2 virus which caused the global pandemic the Coronavirus Disease- 2019 (COVID-2019) has infected about 1,203,959 patients and brought forth death rate about 64,788 among 206 countries as m...

Jeya Jeevahan J., Chandrasekaran M., Venkatesan S.P., Sriram V., Britto Joseph G., Mageshwaran G., Durairaj R.B.

Background Edible food packaging, produced from edible polymers, is a kind of packaging suitable for human consumption along with the contained food. Despite many advantages, the edible films are still produced in laboratory scale due to problems, such as lack of poor elongation, safety and health issues, high cost, processing difficulties, etc. It is essential to overcome these difficulties for scaling up the production to industrial scale and making the edible films commercially successful. Scope & approach Even though some reviews on edible films and coatings have little discussed, there is no dedicated article on scaling up difficulties and commercial aspects of edible films. This article reviews the research progress, confronting problems, and research opportunities ahead for the industrial scaling up and commercial success for edible films in food packaging. Key findings & conclusions Incorporation of plasticizer, production of multilayers, composites, and nanocomposite films improved the properties significantly, but some fundamental research on the key factors are still not investigated. Current laboratory scale production of edible films has problems like inability to make continuous films, long drying time and inaccurate thickness control, which must be addressed before the industrial scaling up production. Lack of evidence on edibility, biodegradability, toxicological and health effects, inadequate marketing, lack of awareness, cultural issues, can affect the food safety and customer acceptance. Future research must address all these problems from the view of industrial scaling up and commercial aspects in order to make the industrially viable and commercially successful edible films.

Sekar M., Mathimani T., Alagumalai A., Chi N.T., Duc P.A., Bhatia S.K., Brindhadevi K., Pugazhendhi A.

Algae become reasonable feedstock in recent times for biofuel production as they are environmentally benign, sustainable and renewable biomass. Biofuels are produced from algal biomass by chemical, biochemical, and thermochemical methods. Among the thermochemical techniques, pyrolysis is a well-known method involving high temperature and high pressure to produce biochar and bio-oil from numerous algal biomasses. Therefore, this review was undertaken to collate and discuss different pyrolytic processes employed for the conversion of algal biomass into biochar and bio-oil production. At the outset, different pyrolysis methods slow pyrolysis, fast/flash pyrolysis, catalytic pyrolysis, microwave assisted pyrolysis and hydropyrolysis operated for the conversion of various microalgae and cyanobacteria into biochar and bio-oil were reviewed using copious literature. Further, challenges arisen out of using above-said pyrolysis methods were critically highlighted to pave the way to choose an appropriate pyrolysis method for obtaining desirable quantity and quality of bio-oil from algae.

Mangesh V.L., Padmanabhan S., Tamizhdurai P., Ramesh A.

Plastics for various applications is increasing every year due to outstanding advantages, but after use recycling and disposal have remained a challenge. In this paper, through experiments, we compare properties of pyrolysis oil derived from after use HDPE (High-density polyethylene), LDPE (Low-density polyethylene), PP (Polypropylene)and styrene for their suitability as diesel engine fuel. This experimental study is to identify which type of plastic is suitable for blending with diesel. The physicochemical properties of pyrolysis oil of HDPE, LDPE, PP, and styrene were tested, tabulated and compared with diesel. The physicochemical properties of polypropylene pyrolysis oil (PPO) were found to be superior to the produced pyrolysis oil of HDPE, LDPE, and styrene. The GC-MS(Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry)and FT-IR (Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy) were taken for pyrolysis oil of HDPE, LDPE, PP, and styrene and compared with diesel. PPO showed lower carbon number chain compounds compared to the other three waste plastics. We selected PPO for diesel engine performance and emission trials based on the results of the above tests. PPO was blended in the ratios of 5%, 10% and 15% with diesel. Combustion analysis showed a increase in cylinder pressure in comparison to diesel values. The heat release rates (HRR) were sharply higher than diesel. Both cylinder pressure and HRRvalues for PPO increased as the blend ratios increased. The emission results showed an increase in carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC)and oxides of Nitrogen (NO x )emissions. The multiple times increase in emissions is due to the presence of unsaturated hydrocarbons and higher carbon number of saturated compounds in PPO. GC-MS tests confirmed the presence of such compounds in PPO. To reduce the unsaturation to negligible levels, we will take up future experiments in hydrogenating PPO with various catalysts and test the performance and emissions in diesel engines. The experiment and analysis plan for conversion of solid waste plastics to diesel fuel. • Four types of plastics selected to determine which plastic has a diesel like quality. • Physicochemical properties, FTIR, GCMS results showed Polypropylene had diesel like qualities. • Diesel Engine trials done with polypropylene pyrolysis oil blended with diesel as fuel. • Engine trial results showed delayed combustion, high heat release rate and higher emission.

Ganesan R., Manigandan S., Samuel M.S., Shanmuganathan R., Brindhadevi K., Lan Chi N.T., Duc P.A., Pugazhendhi A.

• Challenges faced in I generation biofuels and transition to II generation biofuels. • Microalgae as a feedstock for biofuel production has been discussed in this review. • Two stage cultivation strategies and extraction techniques were discussed. • HTL, fermentation, transesterification and pyrolysis of III generation biomass in briefly analyzed. This critical review summarizes the utilization of algae as the resilient source for biofuel. The paper validates the different stages in generation of biofuels and provides a clarity on III generation biofuels. The microalgae is focused as an incredible source and a detailed discussion has been carried out from the cultivation, extraction and conversion to the final product. An elaborate view on conversion methodologies and troubles involved in the respective techniques are presented. The efficiency of the algal fuel performing in I/C engines derived from major techniques is considered. There exist new challenging barriers in the implementation of microalgae as prospective source in the energy market. In addition, types of pyrolysis for the production of main product from microalgae had been discussed in detail. Besides, some microalgae grow easily from fresh to waste water, make it more feasible source. Although the microalgae are a best alternative, cost of production and the yield of biofuel are still challenging. Further, cultivation of microalgae is very effective by applying two stage cultivation strategies. This comprehensive review provides the useful tool to identify, innovate and operate microalgae as the potential based biofuel.