Topic Review
Starch-Based Biodegradable Films for Food Packaging
The use of biodegradable packaging material as an alternative to conventional petrochemical-based polymers is based on the environmental issues associated with conventional materials. Starch-based biodegradable films can be applied in food packaging. It was evident that starch stands out among biopolymers due to its abundance and cost effectiveness.
  • 2.6K
  • 07 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Metal Sulfide Precipitation
Metal sulfide precipitation can efficiently recover several metals and metalloids from different aqueous sources, including wastewaters and hydrometallurgical solutions. 
  • 2.5K
  • 04 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Reverse Water Gas Shift Reaction
The catalytic conversion of CO2 to CO by the reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reaction followed by well-established synthesis gas conversion technologies could be a practical technique to convert CO2 to valuable chemicals and fuels in industrial settings. For catalyst developers, prevention of side reactions like methanation, low-temperature activity, and selectivity enhancements for the RWGS reaction are crucial concerns. Cerium oxide (ceria, CeO2) has received considerable attention due to its exceptional physical and chemical properties. 
  • 2.2K
  • 09 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Abiotic and Biotic Polymer Degradation Mechanisms
Polymer degradation is defined as an irreversible change of the chemical structure, physical properties, and visual appearance due to the chemical cleavage of the polymer’s constitutive macromolecules by one or more mechanism. More than one mechanism can simultaneously take place due to the action of external factors, and one mechanism can be more dominant than others at any time. External factors associated with the environment, such as heat, humidity, radiation, and acidic or alkaline conditions, could modify the degradation process and its rate. The degradation process can alter polymer properties such as mechanical, optical, electrical, discoloration, phase separation or delamination, erosion, cracking, and crazing. The four main abiotic mechanisms associated with polymer degradation are mechanical, thermal (or thermo-oxidative), photo (photo-oxidative), and hydrolytic (chemical) degradation, some of which can be assisted by catalysis. In addition, ozone degradation (chemical) is considered a mechanism of degradation for polymers but is less common. The biotic degradation involves the action of microorganisms by enzymatic action.
  • 2.1K
  • 27 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Removal of Purines from Beer
Beer corresponds to a fermented alcoholic beverage composed of several components, including purine compounds. These molecules, when ingested by humans, can be catabolized into uric acid, contributing to uric acid’s level increase in serum, which may lead to hyperuricemia and gout. To assure a proper management of this disease, physicians recommend restrictive dietary measures, particularly by avoiding the consumption of beer. Therefore, it is of relevance to develop efficient methods to remove purine compounds from alcoholic beverages such as beer. There are several enzymatic, biological, and adsorption methods reported envisaging purine compounds’ removal. Some enzymatic and biological methods present drawbacks, which can be overcome by adsorption methods. Within adsorption methods, adsorbent materials, such as activated carbon or charcoal, have been reported and applied to beer or wort samples, showing an excellent capacity for adsorbing and removing purine compounds. By ensuring the selective removal of purine compounds from this beverage, beer can be taken by hyperuricemic and gouty patients, avoiding restrictive dietary measures, while decreasing the related healthcare economic burden. 
  • 2.1K
  • 23 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Power Generation in Sewage-Water Treatment Plants
Sewage-water treatment comprehends primary, secondary, and tertiary steps to produce reusable water after removing sewage contaminants. However, a sewage-water treatment plant is typically a power and energy consumer and produces high volumes of sewage sludge mainly generated in the primary and secondary steps. The use of more efficient anaerobic digestion of sewage water with sewage sludge can produce reasonable flowrates of biogas, which is shown to be a consolidated strategy towards the energy self-sufficiency and economic feasibility of sewage-water treatment plants. Anaerobic digestion can also reduce the carbon footprint of energy sources since the biogas produced can replace fossil fuels for electricity generation. 
  • 2.1K
  • 05 May 2022
Topic Review
Odor Measurement Methods
Odor pollution related to industrial activities (e.g., chemical industries, oil and gas extraction and refining facilities, waste treatment and disposal facilities) is nowadays acknowledged as a serious environmental concern. Indeed, odors are currently subjected to control and regulation in many countries. Such regulations rely on the possibility of measuring odors. The methods that have been developed and standardized over the last years to measure odors, thereby including sensorial and instrumental techniques, are here described, thereby focusing on their applicability and limitations.
  • 1.9K
  • 08 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) Microplastics
The high PET production volume and the waste mismanagement of PET litter make it one of the most polluting plastic material. Its diffusion in marine litter is widely assessed according to public opinion and documented in the literature. The major sources of PET microplastics in the marine environment are bottles and fibers. The role of PET micro/nanoplastics of vector of toxic chemicals, their fate and the negative effects on the environment and human health is still under discussion.
  • 1.8K
  • 27 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Process Intensification
Process Intensification (PI) is a vast and growing area in Chemical Engineering, which deals with the enhancement of current technology to enable improved efficiency; energy, cost, and environmental impact reduction; small size & modularization; and better integration with the other equipment. Since process intensification results in novel, but complex, systems, it is necessary to rely on optimization and control techniques that can cope with such new processes. 
  • 1.8K
  • 09 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Seawater Electrolysis
Hydrogen energy, as a clean and renewable energy, has attracted much attention in recent years. Water electrolysis via the hydrogen evolution reaction at the cathode coupled with the oxygen evolution reaction at the anode is a promising method to produce hydrogen. Given the shortage of freshwater resources on the planet, the direct use of seawater as an electrolyte for hydrogen production has become a hot research topic. Direct use of seawater as the electrolyte for water electrolysis can reduce the cost of hydrogen production due to the great abundance and wide availability. Various high-efficiency electrocatalysts have made great progress in seawater splitting and have shown great potential.
  • 1.7K
  • 07 Feb 2022
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