K. Z. M. Abdul Motaleb

The global shortage of freshwater, intensified by rising salinity in natural water sources, calls for scalable and energy-efficient desalination technologies. Interfacial solar-driven evaporation offers a promising solution, yet its practical implementation is hindered by high-cost photothermal materials and complex fabrication. Herein, we develop a flexible, self-floating electrospun bilayer membrane composed of Ce-doped Cu-based MOFs, multiwalled carbon nanotubes, polyvinylidene fluoride, and polyacrylonitrile, which was designed for efficient photothermal seawater desalination. A key distinguishing feature lies in the Ce doping strategy. During calcination, Cu-MOFs yield CuO and undesired Cu₂O, which reduce photothermal efficiency. The introduced cerium species form CeO₂/Ce₂O₃ can catalytically oxidize residual Cu₂O into CuO to enhance light absorption. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirms the formation of CeO₂/CuO heterojunctions with improved interfacial synergy. Under 1 kW·m^–2 solar irradiation, the optimized membrane reaches a surface temperature of 61.4 °C and delivers a high evaporation rate of 1.98 kg·m^–2·h^–1. The membrane exhibits strong mechanical strength, reaching a tensile value of 9.92 MPa. It also demonstrates a rapid thermal response by cooling from 61.4 to 26.1 °C within 90 min, which highlights its focus on efficient evaporation dynamics rather than heat retention. This work offers a cost-effective and scalable strategy for interfacial solar-driven evaporation membrane fabrication and introduces a Ce-assisted catalytic route to enhance photothermal conversion via compositional control and interfacial engineering.

The study introduces a novel class of thermo‐responsive semi‐interpenetrated hydrogel networks based on poly ( N,N ‐diethylacrylamide) (PDEA) and poly (methyl vinyl ether) (PMVE), along with their graphene oxide (GO)‐based composites. Poly ( N,N ‐diethylacrylamide) was synthesized via free‐radical polymerization using varying crosslinker concentrations. The swelling behavior of the hydrogels and composites was systematically investigated as a function of temperature and pH. Both pure and GO‐incorporated hydrogels exhibited lower critical solution temperature (LCST)‐type thermal responsiveness, with transition temperatures in the range of 40°C–45°C. Incorporation of GO enhanced swelling capacity, thermal stability, and responsiveness due to additional hydrophilic sites and physical crosslinking effects. Swelling studies under acidic (pH 2), neutral (pH 7), and mildly alkaline (pH 10) conditions demonstrated that GO‐based composites consistently outperformed pure hydrogels, reaching maximum swelling at alkaline pH due to deprotonation‐induced electrostatic repulsion. The point of zero charge (pHpzc) for both systems was determined to be approximately 7.9, indicating predominantly basic surface characteristics. Structural analyses using FTIR confirmed successful polymerization and GO incorporation, while SEM imaging revealed uniform, crosslinked morphologies. The results highlight that GO incorporation significantly improves hydrogel performance, making these composites promising candidates for smart adsorption, controlled release, and efficient treatment of dye‐contaminated wastewater.

Natural fibers are gaining popularity as eco‐friendly and biodegradable reinforcements in polymer composites. This project is aimed at extracting and analyzing organic cellulose fibers from the barks of Microcos paniculata plants, employing a 9‐day water retting process followed by alkali treatment with 5% ( w / w ) NaOH. Both alkali‐treated and untreated fibers were analyzed using advanced techniques to assess their key properties. The chemical composition of the untreated fibers, determined by the TAPPI method, was found to consist of 55% cellulose, 20% hemicellulose, and 18% lignin, with the cellulose content increasing to 64% after alkali treatment. Surface morphology analysis using scanning electron microscopy revealed a smoother surface for untreated fibers and a rougher surface for alkali‐treated fibers. The density and moisture regain of the fibers were measured as 1.28 g/cm ³ and 12.61%, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of functional groups, which correspond to the cellulosic polymers, and indicated the removal of natural impurities after alkali treatment. The crystallinity index and tenacity of the alkali‐treated fibers increased from 63% to 69% and from 34.85 to 38.59 g/tex, respectively, compared to the untreated fibers. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated excellent thermal stability, with the fibers exhibiting temperature resistance up to ~240°C and 24.09% char formation at 993°C. These results suggest that the isolated natural cellulose fibers from M. paniculata have significant potential as a durable reinforcement material in polymer composites.

The conversion of bio-waste into green nanocomposites offers an innovative and sustainable solution to global waste management challenges while advancing material science. Bio-waste, often seen as a disposal burden, can be transformed into high-performance, eco-friendly nanocomposites that significantly enhance environmental sustainability and resource efficiency. This review explores recent advancements in utilizing bio-waste as a raw material, focusing on its diverse origins, efficient preparation techniques, and broad applications. A wide range of bio-resources, from agricultural to industrial waste, has been studied, offering valuable insights into their properties and potential uses. The review also examines processing technologies for converting bio-waste into functional nanocomposites, showcasing their efficiency and innovation. Bio-waste-derived green nanocomposites have demonstrated remarkable potential in fields such as packaging, biomedical devices, environmental remediation, agriculture, electronics, and the automotive industry. Additionally, these materials exhibit a significantly lower environmental footprint compared to traditional materials, addressing key challenges like plastic pollution and environmental degradation. Despite these benefits, challenges remain in scaling up industrial production, including economic constraints, health and safety concerns, and technical limitations. This review identifies these barriers and proposes strategies to overcome them, supporting further development in the field. Ultimately, the study underscores the urgent need for continued research and innovation to unlock the full potential of bio-waste as a valuable resource. By promoting a circular economy and reducing reliance on non-renewable resources, bio-waste-derived nanocomposites pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future.

The textile industry has historically shifted from natural to synthetic dyes and mordants due to factors such as broader color range, improved colorfastness, and large-scale production efficiency. However, synthetic alternatives raise serious environmental and health concerns owing to their toxicity, nonbiodegradability, and resource-intensive manufacturing. With increasing global emphasis on sustainable and eco-conscious practices, there is renewed interest in natural dyes and biomordants. This review critically examines the resurgence of these bio-based colorants, comparing traditional natural dyes and mordants to modern innovations in terms of performance, environmental impact, and feasibility for industrial use. While natural dyes offer biodegradability and reduced toxicity, they face limitations in color consistency, fastness, and scalability. Advances in biotechnology have led to the development of bioengineered dyes from microorganisms, waste-derived pigments, and biomordants such as chitosan, tannins, and enzymes that address some of these challenges. Additionally, hybrid approaches incorporating nanotechnology are enhancing dye uptake and durability. By integrating insights from materials science and green chemistry, this review outlines the current state and future prospects of natural dyes and biomordants in transforming textile manufacturing into a more sustainable industry.

Hemp fibers have mechanical characteristics similar to those of synthetic fibers, which makes them an attractive material for producing environmentally friendly composites. Hemp fibers have excellent mechanical properties and a unique hydrophilicity, requiring for extra attention in composite formulations. Hemp fibers are a very versatile vegetable fiber that is frequently utilized in structural composites. In addition, hemp has shown potential in a variety of other fields, including as sports goods, building, and lighter materials. The present article aims to give a comprehensive summary of the status of sophisticated studies in hemp fiber reinforced composites at present time. The most important research on thermoset and thermoplastic materials reinforced with hemp fiber is compiled and discussed in this publication. This document also provides an overview of the primary attributes of hemp fibers, talks about how to develop these attributes chemically, explains how to create and describe hemp fiber composites, and identifies areas that need more research. In summary, this study ends with several important recommendations and future approaches that draw attention to the issues that require further investigation and potential industrialization of composites.Highlights: Advances in hemp fiber extraction and chemical treatments. Performance traits of hemp‐reinforced thermoset and thermoplastic composites. Tribological, and moisture absorption properties of hemp fiber composites. SEM analysis revealing composite structural characteristics. Future applications and sustainability of hemp fiber in polymers.