In situ study on enhanced plastic deformability of Lanthanum-doped Bismuth ferrite processed by flash sintering

BiFeO3 is a promising multiferroic material for versatile device applications due to its co-existence of magnetic (i.e., antiferromagnetic) and ferroelectric ordering at room temperature. While its functional properties have been extensively investigated, the exploration of its mechanical behavior was limited mostly to the thin-film form of BiFeO3. In this work, we conducted in situ micropillar…

A novel membrane-based process to concentrate nutrients from sidestreams of an Urban Wastewater Treatment Plant through captured carbon dioxide from biogas

Among the challenges that wastewater treatment plants face in the path towards sustainability, reducing CO 2 emissions and decrease the amount of waste highlight. Within these wastes, those that can cause eutrophication, such as nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous) are of great concern. Herein we study a novel process to concentrate nutrients via membrane technology. In…

Transparent, plasticized cellulose-glycerol bioplastics for food packaging applications

Free-standing films have been obtained by drop-casting cellulose-glycerol mixtures (up to 50 wt% glycerol) dissolved in trifluoroacetic acid and trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFA:TFAA, 2:1, v:v). A comprehensive examination of the optical, structural, mechanical, thermal, hydrodynamic, barrier, migration, greaseproof, and biodegradation characteristics of the films was conducted. The resulting cellulose-glycerol blends exhibited an amorphous molecular structure and a…

DC magnetron sputter deposition in pure helium gas: formation of porous films or gas/solid nanocomposite coatings

Magnetron sputtering of two materials (Aluminum and Silicon) was performed in He gas and led to the formation of very different porous thin films: a fiberform nanostructure or a gas/solid nanocomposite. The composition of the thin films obtained was analyzed by means of ion beam techniques: Rutherford backscattering and proton elastic backscattering spectroscopies to measure…

Influence of graphene-based nanostructures processing routes and aspect ratio in flexural strength and fracture mechanisms of 3Y-TZP-matrix composites

In this work, the influence of the aspect ratio of graphene-based nanostructures (GBNs) and content on the mechanical properties of 3 mol% yttria tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline 3Y-TZP matrix composites was analysed. The influence of the dispersion method and sintering parameters on the flexural strength and elastic modulus of the composites was studied, and the fracture surfaces…

Biomass gasification, catalytic technologies and energy integration for production of circular methanol: New horizons for industry decarbonisation

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recognises the pivotal role of renewable energies in the future energy system and the achievement of the zero-emission target. The implementation of renewables should provide major opportunities and enable a more secure and decentralised energy supply system. Renewable fuels provide long-term solutions for the transport sector, particularly for…

Nickel-based cerium zirconate inorganic complex structures for CO2 valorisation via dry reforming of methane

The increasing anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) is encouraging extensive research in CO2 utilisation. Dry reforming of methane (DRM) depicts a viable strategy to convert both CO2 and CH4 into syngas, a worthwhile chemical intermediate. Among the different active phases for DRM, the use of nickel as catalyst is economically favourable, but typically deactivates due to sintering and…

Enhanced low-temperature CO2 methanation over La-promoted NiMgAl LDH derived catalyst: Fine-tuning La loading for an optimal performance

LDH-derived Ni-based catalysts are gathering momentum due to their excellent thermal stability but their lowtemperature CO2 methanation is limited. In this study, various concentrations of La were introduced into the LDH-derived Ni-based catalysts for CO2 methanation, and the underlying mechanisms were investigated. The optimal Ni/La-0.2-MgAlOx catalyst presented a CO(2)conversion level of 69.0 % at 225…

Hydrochar and synthetic natural gas co-production for a full circular economy implementation via hydrothermal carbonization and methanation: An economic approach

Herein we study the economic performance of hydrochar and synthetic natural gas co-production from olive tree pruning. The process entails a combination of hydrothermal carbonization and methanation. In a previous work, we evidenced that standalone hydrochar production via HTC results unprofitable. Hence, we propose a step forward on the process design by implementing a methanation, adding value to the gas…

Ca-based materials derived from calcined cigarette butts for CO2 capture and thermochemical energy storage

Cigarette butts (CBs) are one of the most common types of litter in the world. Due to the toxic substances they contain, the waste generated poses a harmful risk to the environment, and therefore there is an urgent need for alternative solutions to landfill storage. Thus, this work presents a possible revalorization of this waste material, which implies interesting environmental…