In this work we have characterized and compared chitin sourced from exoskeleton of Tenebrio molitor larvae fed with polystyrene or plastic kitchen wrap combined with bran in the ratio 1: 1 with chitin sourced from larvae exoskeleton fed only with bran. Analysis of the frass by ATR-FTIR showed very similar spectra and confirmed degradation of the plastic feed components, while ATR-FTIR analysis of the exoskeleton verified the absence of any plastic residue. Deproteinization followed by demineralization produced 6.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEmission of greenhouse gases and infectious diseases caused by improper agro-waste disposal has gained significant attention in recent years. To overcome these hurdles, agro-waste can be valorized into valuable bioactive compounds that act as reducing or stabilizing agents in the synthesis of nanomaterials. Herein, we report a simple circular approach using Blanco () waste (peel powder/aqueous extract) as green reducing and capping/stabilizing agents and Zn nitrate/acetate precursors to synthesize ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) with efficient antimicrobial and photocatalytic activities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAn emerging technology of active packaging enables prolongation of food shelf life by limiting the oxygen transfer and the reactivity of free radicals, which both destruct food freshness. In this work, FeTiO nanoparticles were synthesized using a modified sol-gel method and evaluated as an enforcement of alginate food packaging film. Pure phase FeTiO nanoparticles had an average particle size of 44 nm and rhombohedral morphology.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNanostructured FeTiO (pseudobrookite), a mixed metal oxide material holds significant promise for utilization in energy and environmental applications. However, its full application is still hindered due to the difficulty to synthesize monophasic FeTiO with high crystallinity and a large specific surface area. Herein, FeTiO nanofibers were synthesized a versatile and low-cost electrospinning method, followed by a calcination process at different temperatures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNickel manganite nanocrystalline fibers were obtained by electrospinning and subsequent calcination at 400 °C. As-spun fibers were characterized by TG/DTA, Scanning Electron Microscopy and FT-IR spectroscopy analysis. X-ray diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy analysis confirmed the formation of nickel manganite with a cubic spinel structure, while N physisorption at 77 K enabled determination of the BET specific surface area as 25.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis paper presents an overview of semiconductor materials used in gas sensors, their technology, design, and application. Semiconductor materials include metal oxides, conducting polymers, carbon nanotubes, and 2D materials. Metal oxides are most often the first choice due to their ease of fabrication, low cost, high sensitivity, and stability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNanocrystalline iron manganite powder was synthesized using the sol-gel combustion process, with glycine as fuel. It was further calcined at 900 °C for 8 h, resulting in the formation of a loose cubic FeMnO powder with a small specific surface area, net-like structure and plate-like particles as confirmed by XRD, N physisorption, FESEM and TEM analyses. The metal ion release was studied by ICP-OES and showed that less than 10 ppb of Fe or Mn ions were released by leaching in water, but 0.
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