Recent progress on adsorption of cadmium ions from water systems using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as an efficient class of porous materials.

Various articles have been written about MOFs, which are organic-inorganic polymer structures that are unique in three-dimensional porosity, crystalline structure, and their ability to adsorb cadmium ion pollutants from aqueous solutions. These materials possess active metal sites, highly porous structures, high specific surfaces, high chemical functionality, and porous topologies. It is necessary to study adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and mechanisms in order to better understand the adsorption process.

Revealing the mechanism of extraordinary hardness without compensating the toughness in a low alloyed high carbon steel.

There is a continuous quest for discovery of a steel grade which has better properties and lower production cost. To design steel with superior properties for industrial application, it is essential to understand the effect of microstructure and engineer it to fit the purpose. In this study, a counter intuitive strategy has used to reveal the mechanism of high carbon steel with ultrahard structure.

Effect of selective-precipitations process on the corrosion resistance and hardness of dual-phase high-carbon steel.

It is commonly known that precipitation of secondary phase in non-ferrous alloys will affect the mechanical properties of them. But due to the nature of dual-phase low-alloy high-carbon steel and its high potential of precipitation of cementite, there is limited study on tailoring the mechanical and corrosion properties of this grade of steel by controlling the precipitation of different phases. Predicting and controlling precipitation behaviour on this grade of steel is of great importance towards producing more advanced applications using this low-cost alloy.

In situ characterisation of MnS precipitation in high carbon steel.

Manganese sulphide (MnS) is one of the major non-metallic inclusions in steel with huge impact on steel property. In the case of high carbon steel, due to higher sulphur content and its brittleness, controlling MnS formation is one of the main issues. MnS has a complicated precipitation mechanism during solidification in liquid and solid steel and at the interface with oxide inclusions.

Recovery of heavy metals from waste printed circuit boards: statistical optimization of leaching and residue characterization.

Despite attempts to enhance the recycling of waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs), the simultaneous recovery of major metals of WPCBs using an efficient approach is still a great challenge. This study mainly concerned with applying an effective statistical tool to optimize the recovery of metal content (i.e.

Selective isolation of heavy metals from spent electronic waste solution by macroporous ion-exchange resins.

Electronic waste (e-waste) has become an urgent issue in digitally dependent world, owing to the unprecedented use of electronic devices and this has compelled the world to develop new techniques to recycle such wastes. In this work, one of problematic and high volume global waste stream, i.e.

From waste to surface modification of aluminum bronze using selective surface diffusion process.

When corrosion is the dominant failure factor in industrial application and at the same time high mechanical properties are required, aluminum bronze is one of the best candidates. Hence, there is a continuous quest for increasing the lifetime of aluminum bronze alloys through enhancing the abrasion and corrosion resistance. Existing methods are based on modifying the bulk properties of alloy or surface modification which required sophisticated equipment and process control.

Enhancing Corrosion Resistance and Hardness Properties of Carbon Steel through Modification of Microstructure.

Steel has played a primary role as structural and fabricating materials in various industrial applications-including the construction sector. One of the most important properties of steel that required a constant improvement is corrosion resistance specifically in corrosive environment. For this purpose, various approaches have been conducted through different heat treatment parameters to compare its microstructural engineering on chemical and mechanical properties.

Direct Transformation of Metallized Paper into Al-Si Nano-Rod and Al Nano-Particles Using Thermal Micronizing Technique.

The abundant application of metallized paper and the quick growth of their wastes lead to the removal of a huge amount of valuable resources from economic cycle. In this work, for the first-time, the thermal micronizing technique has been used to directly transform the metallized paper wastes to Al-Si nano-rod and Al nano-particles for use as the input in different manufacturing sectors such as additive manufacturing or composite fabrication. Structure of metallized paper has been investigated using FT-IR analysis and first-principle plane-wave calculation.

Hybrid structure of white layer in high carbon steel - Formation mechanism and its properties.

This study identifies for the first time, the hybrid structure of the white layer in high carbon steel and describes its formation mechanism and properties. The so-called 'white layer' in steel forms during high strain rate deformation and appears featureless under optical microscopy. While many researchers have investigated the formation of the white layer, there has been no definitive study, nor is there sufficient evidence to fully explain the formation, structure and properties of the layer.

Selective thermal transformation of old computer printed circuit boards to Cu-Sn based alloy.

This study investigates, verifies and determines the optimal parameters for the selective thermal transformation of problematic electronic waste (e-waste) to produce value-added copper-tin (Cu-Sn) based alloys; thereby demonstrating a novel new pathway for the cost-effective recovery of resources from one of the world's fastest growing and most challenging waste streams. Using outdated computer printed circuit boards (PCBs), a ubiquitous component of e-waste, we investigated transformations across a range of temperatures and time frames. Results indicate a two-step heat treatment process, using a low temperature step followed by a high temperature step, can be used to produce and separate off, first, a lead (Pb) based alloy and, subsequently, a Cu-Sn based alloy.

Enhancing steel properties through in situ formation of ultrahard ceramic surface.

Abrasion and corrosion resistant steel has attracted considerable interest for industrial application as a means of minimising the costs associated with product/component failures and/or short replacement cycles. These classes of steels contain alloying elements that increase their resistance to abrasion and corrosion. Their benefits, however, currently come at a potentially prohibitive cost; such high performance steel products are both more technically challenging and more expensive to produce.

Waste conversion into high-value ceramics: Carbothermal nitridation synthesis of titanium nitride nanoparticles using automotive shredder waste.

Environmental concern about automotive shredder residue (ASR) has increased in recent years due to its harmful content of heavy metals. Although several approaches of ASR management have been suggested, these approaches remain commercially unproven. This study presents an alternative approach for ASR management where advanced materials can be generated as a by-product.

Preliminary investigation on the thermal conversion of automotive shredder residue into value-added products: Graphitic carbon and nano-ceramics.

Large increasing production volumes of automotive shredder residue (ASR) and its hazardous content have raised concerns worldwide. ASR has a desirable calorific value, making its pyrolysis a possible, environmentally friendly and economically viable solution. The present work focuses on the pyrolysis of ASR at temperatures between 950 and 1550°C.