Under the "dual carbon" target in China, virtual power plants (VPPs) play an important role in improving grid security and promoting clean and low-carbon energy transformation. VPPs can integrate and control distributed resources to participate in the energy market and make full use of distributed resources. However, the intermittency and volatility of renewable energy and the "heat-driven" working mode of CHP units create contradictions that seriously affect the peak-shaving ability of VPPs and lead to high carbon emissions. To solve these problems, this paper aggregates CHP units, wind power, photovoltaics, carbon capture, hydrogen energy storage, and electric boilers into a new type of virtual power plant. The "hydrogen energy storage-electric boiler" joint decoupling CHP working mode is used to strengthen the coupling relationship between electric-thermal-hydrogen load. At the same time, a tiered carbon trading mechanism is considered, with the net profit of the VPP as the optimization objective, balancing economic and environmental considerations. A low-carbon economic dispatch model for VPPs is established, and a genetic algorithm is used for optimization. Three different scheduling strategies are set, and simulations are conducted in three different seasonal scenarios. The results show that the net profit in the cooling season increased by 50.4%, and carbon emissions decreased by 42.3%. In the transitional season, the net profit increased by 39.2%, and carbon emissions decreased by 44.9%. In the heating season, the net profit increased by 19.4%, and carbon emissions decreased by 43.4%. Overall, the proposed dispatch strategy can improve the new energy consumption capacity and total revenue of VPPs while achieving the goal of reducing carbon emissions.

In the pursuit of sustainable solutions for carbon dioxide CO2 sequestration and emission reduction in the steel industry, this study presents an innovative integration of steelmaking slag with the modified Solvay process for sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) synthesis from saline brines. Utilizing diverse minerals, including electric arc furnace (EAF) slag, olivine, and kimberlite, the study explored their reactivity under varied pH conditions and examined their potential in ammonium regeneration. Advanced techniques such as XRD and ICP-OES were employed to meticulously analyze mineralogical transformations and elemental concentrations. The findings demonstrate that steelmaking slag, owing to its superior reactivity and pH buffering capabilities, outperforms natural minerals. The integration of finer slag particles significantly elevated pH levels, facilitating efficient ammonium regeneration. Geochemical modeling provided valuable insights into mineral stability and reactivity which aligned with the ICP-OES results. This synergistic approach not only aids in CO2 capture through mineral carbonation but also minimizes waste, showcasing its potential as a sustainable and environmentally responsible solution for CO2 mitigation in the steel industry.

Building on the carbon reduction targets agreed in the Paris Agreements, many nations have renewed their efforts toward achieving carbon neutrality by the year 2050. In line with this ambitious goal, nations are seeking to understand the appropriate combination of technologies which will enable the required reductions in such a way that they are appealing to investors. Around the globe, solar and wind power lead in terms of renewable energy deployment, while carbon capture and storage (CCS) is scaling up toward making a significant contribution to deep carbon cuts. Using Japan as a case study nation, this research proposes a linear optimization modeling approach to identify the potential contributions of renewables and CCS toward maximizing carbon reduction and identifying their economic merits over time. Results identify that the combination of these three technologies could enable a carbon dioxide emission reduction of between 55 and 67 percent in the energy sector by 2050 depending on resilience levels and CCS deployment regimes. Further reductions are likely to emerge with increased carbon pricing over time. The findings provide insights for energy system design, energy policy making and investment in carbon reducing technologies which underpin significant carbon reductions, while identifying potential regional social co-benefits.

With technological transformations such as big data, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing, digital techniques are penetrating the field of finance. Digital finance is a resource-saving and environmentally friendly innovative financial service. It shows great green attributes and can drive the flow of financial resources towards environmentally friendly enterprises, thereby promoting green and low-carbon development. This paper investigates the effects of digital finance on green and low-carbon cyclic development and the mechanism. First, the level of green and low carbon cyclic development in China is estimated from multiple aspects based on the panel data of 31 provinces by using the spatio-temporal range entropy weight method. Then, the working mechanism of digital finance on green and low carbon cyclic development is revealed by performing empirical tests based on panel regression models, mediating effect models, and threshold models. Finally, the effects of digital finance and conventional variables on green and low-carbon cyclic development are investigated by using a random forest model and a CatBoost model in based on the machine learning. The results show that digital finance has significant positive effects on green and low-carbon cyclic development, and technological innovation plays a key role in the effects of digital finance on green and low-carbon cyclic development; meanwhile, the driving effect of digital finance on green and low carbon cyclic development shows nonlinear features with increasing “marginal effect”; besides, both digital finance and conventional factors have significant impacts on green and low carbon cyclic development. This study provides an empirical basis and path reference for digital finance to achieve “carbon peak, carbon neutralization” in China.

Single-molecule magnets (SMMs) have garnered significant interest in the field of molecular magnetism due to their unique magnetic properties at the nanoscale. These molecular systems exhibit magnetisation behaviour reminiscent of conventional bulk magnets but with distinct advantages such as size-dependent properties and potential applications in quantum computing and high-density data storage. However, challenges remain in harnessing their properties for practical applications, including their susceptibility to degradation and limited control over their assembly and organisation.

Compared with precious metal catalysts, non-platinum catalysts have the advantages of low cost and high performance. Among them, the activated carbon (AC) with a large specific surface area (SSA) can be used as a carrier or as a carbon source of nonprecious metal/carbon system catalyst at the same time. Therefore, this paper uses cheap pine peel bio-based materials to prepare large surface area activated carbon and then compound with cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) to obtain a high-performance cobalt/nitrogen/carbon catalyst. The merits include AC@CoPc composite catalysts are prepared by precisely controlling the composite proportion of AC and CoPc, the atomically dispersed Co nanoparticles form and synergistically with N promote the exposure of CoNx active sites, and the Eonset of the catalyst treated with a composite proportion of AC and CoPc of 1 to 2 at 800 °C (AC@CoPc-800-1-2) is 1.01 V, which is higher than Pt/C (20 wt%) catalyst. Apart from this, the stability is 87.8% in 0.1 M KOH after 20000 s testing in compared with other AC@CoPc series catalysts and Pt/C (20 wt%) catalyst. Considering from the performance and price of the catalyst in practical application, these composite catalysts combine biomass carbon materials with phthalocyanine series, which will be widely used in the area of nonprecious metal catalysts.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene oxide (GO) reinforced carbon foam (CF) composite were prepared by direct pyrolysis of MWCNTs, GO and mesophase coal tar pitch. The effect of additive amount of the mixture of MWCNTs and GO on the microstruture and properties of carbon foam was analzyed by transmission electron miscroscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Four-probe resistance meter, universal testing machine, and laser thermal conductivity tester respectively. The result shows that MWCNTs and GO had significant impact on the microstructure of carbon foam. Futhermore, the electrical, mechanical and thermal properties of carbon foam composites were significantly enhanced by increasing the additive amount. Maximum compressive strenght of 19.2 MPa and Young’s modulus of 56.8 MPa of CF composite were observed. Similarly, Highest thermal conductivity of 30.91 W/m.K and electrical conductivity of 27.2 ×103 S/m were observed at 2 wt. % of MWCNTs-GO additive loading.

An empirical model for log yield from trees is established and applied in microeconomics of carbon storage in a boreal spruce estate. The transition from pulpwood to sawlogs is a smoother function of stem diameter in the empirical data, in comparison to literature values. Correspondingly, the value transition of trees along with increasing size is gentler. Due to price premium of sawlogs from clearcuttings, all economically feasible treatment schedules terminate in clearcutting. Best capital return rates are gained with two heavy thinnings from above before clearcutting. Present carbon emission prices allow moderate carbon storage increment if the increment is compensated by proportional carbon rent. Doubling the present carbon prices would allow strong carbon storage increments if compensated by carbon rent. Application of nonproportional carbon rent is proposed.

Mass timber products, together with careful forestry management, could help decarbonize the construction industry. These products must be long-lasting, to safely store atmospheric carbon for decades or centuries, and multi-functional, to displace materials and equipment that are emissions-intensive. This paper shows how to optimize mass timber panels as heat-exchangers, suggesting how to eliminate insulation while simplifying HVAC systems. Test panels measured the heat-exchange in steady and transient conditions, when the ventilation was driven by a fan or by thermal buoyancy. The total heatexchange was predicted accurately by theory in all cases. Further investigation is needed to understand the possible heat-recovery effects at the exterior surface.

The expense of carbon sequestration in terms of capital return deficiency is investigated at estate level, in the case of a fertile boreal estate dominated by spruce forest. Thinnings from below result as a high expense of increased rotation age, thinnings from above as a small expense. The expense of increased timber stock is greater than any proportional carbon rent based on present carbon prices. Application of non-proportional carbon rent is proposed.

In the aerospace industry, the performance of materials on extreme conditions is crucial. This study addresses the development of nanoparticle-reinforced composite materials to improve thermal properties and flame retardancy in aerospace applications. As first approach, Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were synthesized and incorporated into carbon fibers through the dip coating process. Subsequently, composite laminates were manufactured using the vacuum bag infusion method. The materials were subjected to flammability tests, following FAA regulations, to evaluate their performance against flame spread. The laminates reinforced with ZnO presented promise performances, suggesting a need for optimization in the incorporation of nanoparticles for safer and more efficient applications in the aerospace industry.

The imperative to achieve carbon neutrality has driven significant advancements in the construction sector, particularly in the production and utilization of building materials. This paper explores innovative strategies and practices designed to reduce the carbon footprint of construction materials, with a focus on both the production processes and the application of sustainable materials. Key innovations include the development of low-carbon and carbon-negative materials, the integration of renewable energy sources in production, and the implementation of advanced recycling technologies. Case studies of successful projects demonstrate how these strategies can be applied in real-world scenarios, highlighting both the benefits and challenges encountered. The analysis also delves into the technical and economic aspects of these innovations, addressing the barriers to their widespread adoption and proposing solutions to overcome these challenges. Through a comprehensive examination of current practices and future trends, this paper aims to provide a roadmap for the construction industry to achieve carbon neutrality, contributing to broader climate change mitigation efforts and fostering a more sustainable built environment.

Carbon fibers (CFs) cannot be directly used for the preparation of CF paper because of their chemically inert nature. Herein, the surface of CF was modified via the spontaneous oxidative self-polymerization of dopamine. By taking full advantage of the spontaneous oxidation and self-polymerization properties of PD to maintain the maximum strength of CFs, a polydopamine-modified CF paper (PDA-CFP) with excellent performance was prepared using PD-modified CFs (PDA-CFs), which increased the proportion of hydrophilic functional groups on the surface of carbon fibers, increased the O/C ratio on the CF surface by 6 times, and improved the bond strength between the modified CF and the adhesive by making full use of the interaction force between polydopamine and PVA fibers. In this way, the primary properties of the CF paper was improved. Overall, the results showed that the dispersion of CF was considerably improved by the dopamine modification. In addition, the primary physical properties of PDA-CFP were better than those of virgin CF paper (CFP-0). PDA-CFP exhibited a maximum tensile strength of 2.04 kN/m2, a minimum resistivity of 0.06055 Ω·cm and a minimum porosity of 72.4%. The tightness could be increased by up to 12.1%.

Actuated carbon (AC) is utilized in various conditions of uses after its disclosure as a solid and dependable adsorbent. A review on AC is introduced along with returning to the wellsprings of AC age; strategies used to produce AC including pyrolysis enactment; actual actuation; synthetic initiation and steam pyrolysis. The significant variables influencing the AC creation, the potential uses of AC and their future possibilities are likewise examined. AC is applied in water, wastewater and leachate medicines in numerous nations, particularly to clean the shading, eliminate the smell and some substantial metals. Taking into account this, an exhaustive rundown of research on compound, physical and organic change strategies of initiated carbon relating to prevent of foreign substance expulsion from watery arrangements was aggregated and investigated. Additionally, the examination of the actual blending strategy and the impregnation technique in enactment with antacid metals shows that the actuated carbon got through actual blending had a higher porosity than the initiated carbon created by the impregnation technique. The uses of initiated carbon items were quickly surveyed.

In recent years, the production of cement has grown globally in a very rapid manner due to the modernization of the world we live in, and after fossil fuels and land-use change, cement production is the third-largest source of anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide, CO₂. Cement being the primary binding material for concrete and with the prospects for the concrete industry continues to grow so will the emissions of CO₂. Hence, a method to reduce the CO₂ production while keeping up with the progression of the concrete industry is very crucial in current times. This is where CO₂ sequestration comes in. It is a process where CO₂ is converted into a mineral which will then be trapped into the concrete forever. Required data to carry out the research between CO₂ sequestered concrete and concrete without CO₂ have been observed, obtained and tabulated as necessary. These data are then used to compare the concrete samples with one another and also prove the theoretical effects of CO₂ exposure to concrete. Hence, experimental results on the compressive strength of the concrete samples for 7, 14 and 28 days has also been tabulated, graphed and further disputed. The objective of this research is mainly to determine the compressive strength of CO₂ sequestered concrete in comparison with concrete without CO₂ in order to decrease the effects the concrete industry has on the environment. The compressive strength of concrete samples with sequestration of CO₂ gas is expected to be higher than of the concrete without CO₂.

Commercially available oxidized (carboxylic groups) and non-oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes were studied as adsorbents of cerium(III) in batch operation mode. Several variables affecting the rare earth adsorption were investigated, including: the stirring speed applied to the system, the pH of the solution and the metal concentration and carbon dosages. Although the removal of cerium from the solution is different and dependent upon the adsorbent type: i) adsorption in non-oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes, ii) cation exchange in the case of using oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes, the adsorption kinetics, the rate law and the isotherm models are the same for both adsorbents: pseudo-second order, film diffusion and Langmuir Type-1, respectively. Cerium is desorbed from loaded adsorbents using acidic solutions.

The present investigation deals with the adsorption of chromium(III) from alkaline media using multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The adsorption of Cr(III) has been studied under various experimental conditions: stirring speed of the aqueous solution, initial metal and adsorbent concentrations, NaOH concentration in the aqueous solution, and temperature. The rate law indicated that chromium adsorption is well represented by the particle diffusion model, whereas the adsorption process fits to the pseudo-second order kinetic model within an exothermic character. Equilibrium data fit to the Langmuir type-2 equilibrium isotherm in an spontaneous process. Chromium(III) can be eluted from metal-loaded nanotubes using acidic solutions, from which fine chromium(III) oxide pigment can be ultimately yielded.

Cuboid diamonds are particularly common in the placers of the northeastern Siberian platform but their origin remains unclear. These crystals usually range in color from dark yellow to orange and more interestingly, are characterized by unusual low aggregated nitrogen impurities (non-aggregated C-center) suggesting a short residence time and/or low temperatures at which they have been stored in the mantle. In order to track possible isotopic signature that could help deciphering cuboid diamond's crystallization processes, δ¹³C values, δ¹⁵N values and nitrogen contents have been determined in-situ in three samples using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), whereas nitrogen aggregation state have been determined by FTIR spectroscopy. The samples fall out the δ¹³C vs. δ¹⁵N field of canonical mantle composition. Different scale of carbon and nitrogen fractionation may produce the observed variations. Alternatively, mixing of mantle and crustal material would obscure initial co-variations of δ¹³C values with δ¹⁵N or nitrogen content.

A new bisthiourea compound, 1,3,1',3'-(dinaphthalene-1,8-diyl)bisthiourea, was synthesized. Its structure was characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR and 1H-, 13C-NMR and MS spectroscopic techniques.

The search for materials with exceptional properties has led to significant advances in the field of non-carbon diamond-like conductive thin films (DLC-CTFs). These films, synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and other techniques, are being actively researched for their potential in high-tech applications. This literature review discusses the synthesis methods, material properties, and applications of DLC-CTFs, highlighting the role of non-carbon dopants in enhancing electrical conductivity. This literature review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the historical development, synthesis techniques, material properties, characterization methods, and applications of DLC-CTFs, with a focus on the impact of non-carbon doping on their conductive properties. By reviewing the literature. The review also addresses the challenges faced and suggests future research directions.

As the largest contributor of carbon emissions in China, the building sector currently relies mostly on enterprises’ own effort to report carbon emissions, which usually results in challenges related to information transparency and workload for regulatory bodies, who play an otherwise vital role in controlling the building sector’s carbon footprint. In this study, we established a novel regulatory model known as QCEPM (Quantitative Carbon Emission Prediction Model) by conducting multiple linear regression analysis using the quantities of concrete, rebar, and masonry structures as independent variables, and the embodied carbon emissions of a building as the dependent variable. We processed the data in the detailed quantity list of 20 multi-story frame-structure buildings and fed them to QCEPM for solution. Comparison of the QCEPM-calculated results against the time-consuming and error-prone manual calculation results suggested a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 2.26%. Using this simplified model, regulatory bodies can efficiently supervise the embodied carbon emissions in multi-storey frame structures by setting up carbon quota for a project in its approval stage, allowing the construction enterprise to carry out dynamic control over the audited three most important building materials throughout a project’s planning and implementation phase.

Three types of the composites were tested for electromagnetic interference (EMI) absorption shielding effectiveness, curing process and physical-mechanical properties. In the first type of composites, manganese-zinc ferrite, nickel-zinc ferrite, and both fillers in their mutual combinations were incorporated into acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber. The overall content of the filler, or fillers combinations was kept on 200 phr. Then, carbon black, or carbon fibres, respectively were incorporated into each rubber formulation in constant loading - 25 phr, while the content of magnetic fillers was unchanged - 200 phr. The work was focused on the understanding of correlation among electromagnetic shielding parameters and electrical conductivity of composites in relation to their EMI absorption shielding effectiveness. The absorption shielding ability of materials was evaluated within the frequency range from 1 MHz to 6 GHz. The study revealed good correlation among permittivity, conductivity, and EMI absorption effectiveness. Although, the absorption shielding efficiency of composites filled only with ferrites seems to be the highest, the absorption maxima of those composites were reached over 6 GHz. The application of carbon based fillers resulted in higher electrical conductivity and higher permittivity of composites, which was reflected in their lower absorption shielding performance. Though, the composites with filled with ferrites and carbon based fillers absorbed electromagnetic radiation within the desired frequency range. The presence of carbon based fillers caused the improvement in tensile behavior of composites. The study also demonstrated that the higher was the ratio of nickel-zinc ferrite in magnetic fillers combinations, the higher was the absorption shielding performance.

Flexible energy storage devices, such as solid-state supercapacitors, are becoming increasingly attractive due to their characteristics of high electrochemical performance, reliability, light weight, flexibility, absence of electrolyte leakage, high power density, and long lifetime. For the optimization of the solid-state symmetrical supercapacitor proposed in this work, it was employed in sodium and lithium form Aquivion electrolyte membrane, which serves as the separator and electrolyte. As electrode materials, carbon xerogels, synthesized by microwave-assisted sol-gel methodology, with designed and controlled properties were obtained. Commercial activated carbon (YP-50F, 'Kuraray Europe' GmbH) was used for comparison. Specifically, the developed solid-state symmetrical supercapacitors deliver sufficient high specific capacitances of 105−110 F g−1 at 0.2 A g−1, along with an energy density of 4.5 Wh kg−1 at 300 W kg−1, and in a voltage window of 0-1.2 V in an aqueous environments, also demonstrating excellent cycling stability up to 10,000 charge/discharge cycles. These results can demonstrate the potential applications of carbon xerogel as an active electrode material and cation exchange membrane as the electrolyte in the development of solid-state supercapacitor devices

With a view to sustainable development and circular economy, this work focused on the possibility to valorize a secondary waste stream of recycled carbon fiber (rCF) to produce a 3D printing usable material with PA6,6 polymer matrix. The reinforcing fibers implemented in the present research are the result of a double recovery action: starting with pyrolysis from which long fibers are obtained, used to produce non-woven fabrics and, subsequently, fiber agglomerate wastes obtained from this last process are ground in a ball mill. The effect of a different amount of reinforcement at 5% and 10% by weight on the mechanical properties of 3D printed thermoplastic composites was investigated. Although the recycled fraction was successfully integrated in the production of filaments for 3D printing and therefore in the production of specimens via Fused Deposition Modeling technique, the results showed that fibers did not improve the mechanical properties as expected, due to an unsuitable average size distribution and the presence of a predominant dusty fraction ascribed to the non-optimized ball milling process. PA6,6 + 10 wt.% rCF composites exhibited a tensile strength of 59.53 MPa and a tensile modulus of 2.24 GPa, which correspond to an improvement in mechanical behavior of 21 5 % and 5 21 % compared to the neat PA6,6 specimens, respectively. The printed composite specimens loaded with the lowest content of rCF provided the greatest improvement in strength (+ 9% over the neat sample). Then, a prediction of the “optimum” critical length of carbon fibers was proposed that could be used for future optimizations of the recycled fiber processing.

Visual data on the geographic distribution of carbon storage helps policy maker to formulate countermeasures on global warming. However, Taiwan, as an island showing diversity in climate and topography, had lacked valid visual data in distribution of forest carbon storage between the last to forest surveys (1993-2015). This study established a model to achieve an estimation that capable to demonstrate the distribution of forest carbon storage. This model uses land use, stand morphology, carbon conversion coefficient databases accordingly for 51 types of major forest in Taiwan. An estimation on 2006 was conducted and shows an overall carbon storage of 165.65 Mt C, with forest carbon storage per unit area of 71.56 t C ha–1, where natural forests and plantations respectively contributed of 114.15 Mt C (68.9%) and 51.50 Mt C (31.1%). By assuming no change in land use type, the carbon sequestration from 2006 to 2007 by the 51 forest types was estimated to be 5.21 Mt C yr–1 using historical tree growth and mortality rates. The result reflects the reality of the land use status and event of coverage shifting with time by combining to the two forest surveys in Taiwan.

This study scrutinizes the complexities of designing and exploring the potential energy surface (PES) of systems containing more than twenty atoms with planar tetracoordinate carbons (ptCs). To tackle this issue, we utilized an established design rule to design a Naphtho [1,2-b:4,3-b′:5,6-b′′:8,7-b′′′]tetrathiophene derivative computationally. This process began with substituting S atoms with CH– units, then replacing three sequential protons with two Si2+ units in the resultant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon polyanion. Despite not representing the global minimum, the newly designed Si8C22 system with four ptCs provided valuable insights into strategic design and PES exploration. Our results underscore the importance of employing adequate methodologies to confirm the stability of newly designed molecular structures containing planar hypercoordinate carbons.

Fossil-based emissions can be avoided through using wood in place of non-renewable raw materials as energy and materials. However, increasing wood harvest influences forest carbon stocks. This effect may reduce the overall climate benefit of wood use significantly but is widely overlooked. We carried out a systematic review of simulation studies and compared differences in forest carbon and amount of wood harvested between more and less intensive wood harvest scenarios for three different time perspectives; short (1-30 years), mid (31-70 years) and long (71-100 years). Out of more than 450 reviewed studies 44 provided adequate data. Our results show that increased harvesting reduced carbon stocks over 100 years in temperate and boreal forests roughly 1.6 (stdev 0.9) t_C per t_C harvested. The value proved to be robust when outliers explicitly influenced by other factors than change in harvest rate, such as increase in fertilization or forest area, were removed. Interestingly, no significant difference in carbon impacts was found for average values of boreal and temperate forests or between short and long time-horizons. However, impacts tend to be greatest in the mid-term. This carbon balance indicator that we estimated can be interpreted as carbon debit of wood harvest in forests. It is significant compared with the typical GHG credits in technosphere generated by avoiding fossil emissions in substitution and increase in carbon storage in harvested wood products, and should not be ignored. Our estimates provide default values that can directly be included in GHG balances of products or assessment of mitigation policies and measures related to wood use. However, more systematic scenarios and transparent data in which different factors influencing forest carbon stocks are separately studied are clearly required to provide better constrained estimates for specific forest types.

CASBEE-City tool determines the city’s Built Environment Efficiency (BEE) by calculating the improvement of Quality of Life (Q) over human activities’ Environmental Load (L) within the city’s hypothetical boundary. A total of 58 variables (57 Q indicators and one variable for L) are used in the worldwide version of CASBEE-City which were grounded using ISO 37120:2014 Sustainable Development of Communities and 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations (UN). This paper examines the application of CASBEE-City for Malaysian cities using the case of Johor Bahru City and identifies assessment indicators which are customised based on the data availability, reliability and suitability through focus group discussions (FGDs) which involved 36 respondents (researchers, urban planners and stakeholders). This paper reveals Johor Bahru with moderate score B+ in 2010 and 2025. Consensus were also achieved from the 36 FGD respondents for the practicability and future potential of CASBEE-City and BEE framework in Johor Bahru.

A growing number of companies in the brewery industry have made commitments to measure and reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, many brewers, particularly craft brewers with relatively low rates of production, have struggled to meet these commitments. The purpose of this research was to investigate the challenges and benefits of measuring and reducing GHG emissions in the craft brewery industry. The research was conducted in Ontario, Canada, which has seen strong recent growth in the craft brewery industry. A case study and semi-structured interviews among Ontario Craft Brewers were conducted. The case study found that indirect (scope 3 emissions under the WBCSD & WRI GHG Protocol) GHG sources accounted for 46.4% of total GHGs, with major sources from barley agriculture, malted barley transportation, and bottle production. Direct emissions (scope 1) accounted for only 14.9% of GHGs, while scope 2 emissions, comprised mainly of energy consumption, accounted for 38.7% of GHGs. The case study and interviews found that the main challenges in calculating brewery GHGs are secondary data availability, technical knowledge, and finances. The study also found that the main benefits for Ontario breweries to measure their GHGs include sustainability marketing and preserving the environment. The interviews also found a poor understanding of carbon regulation among Ontario Craft Brewers, which is interesting considering that Ontario implemented a provincial cap and trade program in 2017.

The effect of hybrid carbon fillers of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) and carbon black (CB) on the electrical and morphological properties of polystyrene (PS) nanocomposites were systematically investigated in microinjection molding (μIM). The polymer nanocomposites with three different filler concentrations (i.e. 3, 5 and 10 wt%) at various weight ratios of CNT/CB (100/0, 30/70, 50/50, 70/30, 0/100) were prepared by melt blending, then followed by μIM under a defined set of processing conditions. A rectangular mold insert which has three consecutive zones with decreasing thickness along the flow direction was adopted to study abrupt changes in mold geometry on the properties of resultant microparts. The distribution of carbon fillers within microparts was observed by scanning electron microscope, which was correlated with electrical conductivity measurements. Results indicated that there is a flow-induced orientation of incorporated carbon fillers and this orientation increased with increasing shearing effect along the flow direction. High structure CB is found to be more effective than CNT in terms of enhancing the electrical conductivity, which was attributed to the good dispersion of CB in PS and their ability to form conductive networks via self-assembly. Morphology observations indicated that there is a shear-induced depletion of CB particles in the shear layer, which is due to the marked difference of shear rates between the shear and core layers of the molded microparts. Moreover, an annealing treatment is beneficial to enhance the electrical conductivity of CNT-containing microparts.

The Asia-Pacific region contains almost half of the planet’s coastal carbon-sequestering (blue carbon) environments (mangroves, salt marshes, seagrasses). These habitats are highly valuable to sequester carbon and mitigate climate change, but are under threat throughout the region, due in significant part to an insufficient policy environment to protect, restore, or create new coastal wetlands/blue carbon environments. Using a systematic evidence synthesis we reviewed the existing literature on blue carbon policy, and found that gaps and challenges fall under three themes, “Land Tenure and Ownership”, “Funding and Protecting Blue Carbon Habitat”, and “Conflicting Priorities and Jurisdictions”, with two overarching issues, the inconsistent recognition of rights of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) and women, and sea-level rise. This study makes recommendations to ensure high-quality blue carbon projects through improving equitable outcomes, particularly for women and IPLCs, and to reduce barriers to implementing blue carbon projects. These recommendations include gender sensitive and participatory mapping along with a registry of ownership with extensive gender equitable IPLC consultation to resolve ownership uncertainties. Recommendations for community level and gender equitable benefits beyond individual land owners are important to address the inequity of land ownership. Where land ownership changes under sea-level rise and intentional barrier removal, carbon rights should be retained by the landowner; otherwise, there is little incentive to undertake blue carbon projects. Due to the limited income that results from some carbon credit payments, other crediting and non-market methods can be considered to supplement landowners’ incomes and encourage habitat protection. Conflicting priorities between authorities responsible for managing coastal wetlands can be resolved through systematic restructuring/streamlining and collaborative workshops. Some will require changes to policies and amending delegated legislation.

EU politics on decarbonizing shipping is an argumentative struggle in which actors try to make others see the problem and policy solutions according to their views and seek to position other actors in a specific way. This article critically analyses, by means of argumentative discourse analysis, the politics and policy process related to the recent adoption of the FuelEU Maritime regulation, the world’s most ambitious legislation for decarbonizing maritime shipping. Different storylines and discourses as well as agency of policy actors on the problems and policy options defining the meaning of decarbonization are analysed. Two discourses framed the debates, focusing on (i) incremental change and technology neutrality to meet moderate emission reductions and maintain competitiveness, and (ii) transformative change and technology specificity to meet zero emissions and gain competitiveness and global leadership in the transition towards a hydrogen economy. Policy actors successfully used discursive agency strategies such as multiple functionality and vagueness to navigate between and resolve conflicts between the two discourses. Both discourses are associated with the overarching ecological modernization discourse and failed to include issue of a just transition. The heritage of the ecological modernization discourse creates lock-ins for a broader decarbonization discourse, thus stalling a just transition.

Capturing and storing CO2 (CCS) was once regarded as a significant, urgent, and required option for reducing the emissions of CO2 from coal and oil and gas industries and mitigating the serious impacts of CO2 on the atmosphere and the environment. This recognition came about as a result of extensive research conducted in the past. The CCS cycle comes to a close with the last phase of CO2 storage, which is accomplished primarily by the adsorption of CO2 in the ocean and injection of CO2 subsurface reservoir formation, in addition to the formation of limestone by the process of CO2 reactivity with reservoir formation minerals through injectivities. CCS is the last stage in the carbon capture and storage (CCS) cycle and is accomplished chiefly via oceanic and subterranean geological sequestration, as well as mineral carbonation. The injection of supercritical CO2 into geological formations disrupts the sub-surface's existing physical and chemical conditions; changes can occur in the pore fluid pressure, temperature state, chemical reactivity, and stress distribution of the reservoir rock. This paper aims at advancing our current knowledge in CO2 injection and storage systems particularly CO2 storage methods and the challenges encountered during the implementation of each method and analyses on how key uncertainties in CCS can be reduced. CCS sites are essentially unified systems; yet, given the scientific context, these storage systems are typically split during scientific investigations based on the physics and spatial scales involved. Separating the physics by using the chosen system as a boundary condition is a strategy that works effectively for a wide variety of physical applications. Unfortunately, the separation technique does not accurately capture the behaviour of the larger important system in the case of water and gas flow in porous media. This is due to the complexity of geological subsurface systems, which prevents the approach from being able to effectively capture the behaviour of the larger relevant system. This consequently gives rise to different CCS technology with different applications, costs and social and environmental impacts. The findings of this study can help improve understanding of selecting a suitable CCS application method and can further improve the efficiency of greenhouse gas emissions and their environmental impact, promoting the process sustainability and helping to tackle some of the most important issues that human being is currently accounting global climate change. Though this technology has already had large-scale development for the last decade, some issues and uncertainties are identified. Special attention was focused on the basic findings achieved in CO2 storage operational projects to date. The study has demonstrated that though a number of CCS technology has been researched and implemented to date, choosing a suitable and acceptable CCS technology is still daunting in terms of its technological application, cost-effectiveness and socio-environmental acceptance.

Carbon subsurface storage (CSS) has already been recognised as a critical, urgent, and essential method for reducing anthropogenic CO2 emissions and mitigating the severe effects of climate change. CSS is the last stage in the carbon capture and storage (CCS) cycle and is accomplished chiefly via oceanic and subterranean geological sequestration, as well as mineral carbonation. The injection of supercritical CO2 into geological formations causes a disruption in the subsurface's existing physical and chemical conditions; changes can occur in the pore fluid pressure, temperature state, chemical reactivity, and stress distribution of the reservoir rock. This paper aims to present a comprehensive review on the current advances in CSS, particularly CO2 storage methods and the challenges encountered during the implementation of each methods and analyses on how key uncertainties in CSS can be reduce. CSS sites are essentially unified systems; yet, given the scientific context, these systems are typically split during scientific investigations based on the physics and temporal/spatial scales involved. Separating the physics by using the system as a boundary condition is a strategy that works effectively for a wide variety of physical applications. Unfortunately, the separation technique does not accurately capture the behaviour of the larger important system in the case of water and gas flow in porous media. This is due to the complexity of geological subsurface systems, which prevents the approach from being able to effectively capture the behaviour of the larger relevant system. This consequently give rise to different CSS methods. A good CSS application method can further improve the efficiency of greenhouse gas emission and their environmental impact, promoting the process sustainability and helping to tackle some of the most important issues that human being is currently accounting, global climate change. Though this technology is already large-scale development for the last decade, some issues and uncertainties are identified. Special attention was focused on the basic findings achieved in CO2 storage operational projects to date.

The goal of this work is to develop a sustainable value chain of carbonaceous adsorbents that can be produced from the solid fibrous digestate (SFD) of biogas plants and further applied in integrated desulphurisation-upgrading (CO2/CH4 separation) processes of biogas to yield high purity biomethane. On this purpose, physical and chemical activation of the SFD derived biochar was optimised to afford micro-mesoporous activated carbons (ACs) of high BET surface area (590-2300 m2g−1) and enhanced pore volume (0.57-1.0 cm3g−1). Gas breakthrough experiments from fixed bed columns of the obtained ACs, using real biogas mixture as feedstock, unveiled that the physical and chemical activation conclude to different types of ACs which are sufficient for biogas upgrade and biogas desulphurisation respectively. Performing breakthrough experiments at three temperatures close to ambient it was possible to define the optimum conditions for enhanced H2S/CO2 separation. It was also concluded that the H2S adsorption capacity is significantly affected by restriction to gas diffusion. Hence, the best performance was obtained at 50 oC and the maximum observed in the H2S adsorption capacity vs the temperature is attributed to the counterbalance between adsorption and diffusion processes.

Riverine particulates dominate the transport of vital nutrients like Si, Fe or P to the ocean mar-gins, where they may increase primary production by acting as slow release fertilizer. Further-more, the supply of particulate surface area to the ocean is considered to be a major control or-ganic carbon burial. Taken together, these observations suggest a close link between the supply of riverine particulate material and the organic carbon cycle. To explore this link, we conducted microcosm experiments to measure the growth of the marine diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii in the presence and absence of different types and concentrations of riverine particulate material. Results demonstrate a strong positive effect of riverine particulate material on diatom growth with increased total diatom concentrations and slowed post-exponential death rates with in-creasing particulate concentration. Moreover, SEM and optical microscope investigations con-firm that riverine particulates facilitates organic carbon burial through their role in the aggrega-tion and sedimentation of phytoplankton. The supply of riverine particulate material has been shown to be markedly climate sensitive with their fluxes increasing dramatically with increas-ing global temperature and runoff. This pronounced climate sensitivity implies that riverine particulates contribute substantially in regulating atmospheric CO2 concentrations through their role in the organic carbon cycle.

Forests play an important role in reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, thereby mitigating the impact of climate change. Estimating the accumulated biomass in a forest ecosystem is important for assessing the productivity and sustainability of the forest. Allometric models for above ground biomass (AGB) are linear regression equations based on the relationships between biomass and diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height (H), and/or wood density. This study estimates AGB in the Colo-I-Suva Forest Park by applying the allometry of Chave et al (2005) and the diameter: height ratio derived from Payton & Weaver (2011) for height estimation in a plot of 20

For every three people on the planet there is approximately two Tonne (Te) of available plastic waste. We show that carbon recovery from polystyrene (PS) plastic is enhanced by the co-addition to solvents to grow carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by liquid injection chemical vapour deposition. Polystyrene was loaded up to 4 wt% in toluene and heated to 780 °C in the presence of a ferrocene catalyst and a hydrogen/argon carrier gas in a 1:19 ratio. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Raman spectroscopy were used to identify multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The PS addition in the range from 0 to 4 wt% showed improved quality and CNT homogeneity; Raman “Graphitic/Defective” (G/D) values increased from 1.9 to 2.3; mean CNT diameters increased from 43.0 to 49.2 nm; and maximum CNT yield increased from 11.3% to 14.2%. Since both the CNT diameters and the percentage yield increased with respect to polystyrene addition, we conclude that carbon from the PS contributes to the carbon within the MWCNTs. The electrical contact resistance of acid washed Bucky papers produced from each loading, ranged from 2.2 to 4.4 Ohm, with no direct correlation to PS loading. Due to this narrow range, the materials with different loading were mixed to create six wires of an Ethernet cable and tested using iPerf to give uplink and downlink speeds of ~99.5 Mbps, comparable to Cu wire of identical dimension (~99.5 Mbps). The lifecycle assessment (LCA) of CNT wire production was compared to copper wire production for the use case in a Boeing 747-400 over the lifespan of the craft. Due to their lightweight nature the CNT wires decreased the CO2 footprint by 21 kTonne (kTe) over the aircraft lifespan.

We analyzed the plant-litter-soil continuum to investigate the carbon and nitrogen distribution and ecological stoichiometry of an evergreen broad-leaved forest at Dagangshan Mountain, Jiangxi. The results showed that the average C and N contents and C:N ratios in the leaves and fine roots among 6 different tree species were 401.87g/kg, 21.41g/kg, 19.27 and 348.64g/kg, 15.73g/kg, 23.97, respectively; the average C and N contents and C:N ratios were 323.06 g/kg, 12.76 g/kg, 25.58 respectively in leaf litter, and 16.40 g/kg, 1.09 g/kg, 16.27 respectively for soil. In contrast with the C content, the total N content of the fine roots and litter had a high coefficient of variation and a high spatial heterogeneity. We ranked the six different representative tree species according to total C and N content in leaves and fine roots. The results for each species were generally consistent with each other, showing a positive correlation relationship between total C and N content in the leaves and roots. Among them, S. discolor (Champ. ex Benth.) Muell. plants displayed high carbon and nitrogen storage capacities, and on the other hand, C. fargesii Franch., C. myrsinifolia (Blume) Oersted, A. fortunei (Hemsl.) Makino, and V. fordii (Hemsl.) Airy Shaw showed a high nitrogen transfer rate. Total soil N and C decreased with depth. Soil organic carbon (SOC), soil resistant organic carbon (ROC), total N, alkali nitrogen, NH4+-N and NO3--N contents were all also negative correlated with soil depth, but the contents of the NH4+-N and NO3--N did not change significantly; The spatial distribution of soil NO3--N was significantly heterogeneous. At 0-10 cm soil depth, SOC was positively correlated with alkaline nitrogen, and at 10-20 cm soil depth, SOC was significantly positively correlated with total N. In general, when soil carbon was abundant, nitrogen supply capacity was also high.

Spin dependent quantum transport properties in twisted carbon nanotube and stretched carbon nanotube are calculated using density functional theory (DFT) and non-equilibrium green’s function (NEGF) formulation. Twisting and stretching have no effect on spin transport in CNTs at low bias voltages. However, at high bias voltages the effects are significant. Stretching restricts any spin-up current in antiparallel configuration (APC) which results in higher magneto resistance (MR). Twisting allows spin-up current almost equivalent to the pristine CNT case resulting in lower MR. High spin filtration is observed in PC and APC for pristine, stretched and twisted structures at all applied voltages. In APC, at low voltages spin filtration in stretched CNT is higher than in pristine and twisted ones with pristine giving higher spin filtration than twisted CNT.

This study evaluates the efficiency of biodegradable polyurethane foams as thermal insulation materials compared to conventional materials like expanded polystyrene (EPS). Key parameters analyzed include thermal conductivity, energy savings, CO2 emission reductions, and investment payback periods. Biodegradable polyurethane foams demonstrated a thermal conductivity of 0.022 W/(m·K), significantly lower than EPS's 0.035 W/(m·K), leading to higher energy savings. Calcu-lations reveal an annual energy saving of 443,820 kWh for polyurethane foams, compared to 441,330 kWh for EPS. Financially, polyurethane foams save approximately €53,258.4 annually, while EPS saves €52,959.6. In terms of environmental impact, polyurethane foams reduce CO2 emissions by 88,764 kg annually, versus 88,266 kg for EPS. Despite the higher initial cost of pol-yurethane foams (€50/m² compared to €30/m² for EPS), the payback period is remarkably short at 0.094 years (1.13 months) compared to EPS's 0.057 years (0.68 months). These findings highlight biodegradable polyurethane foams as a superior option for thermal insulation, offering significant energy, financial, and environmental benefits.

PVC/CNT membranes were electrospun, and subsequently characterized by thermal analyses (TGA and DSC), transmission and scanning electron microscopies (TEM and FEG) and electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). TEM images show that most of the nanotubes were encapsulated, inside the fibers and oriented along them. FEG showed no significant differences in the average diameters. The CNTs caused a significant reduction (up to 20 °C) in the glass transition temperature (Tg) in relation to the resin and a positive impact on thermal stability. Nyquist plots is possible to observe a charge transfer resistance of 38 and 40 Mohm, respectively, for pure PVC and PVC/CNT 3%. It is suggested the high porosity and encapsulation of CNTs in the fibers prevents the formation of a percolation network. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of the encapsulation of CNTs in morphology, thermal and impedance spectra of electrospun composites.

This study evaluates the efficiency of biodegradable polyurethane foams as thermal insulation materials compared to conventional materials like expanded polystyrene (EPS). Key parameters analyzed include thermal conductivity, energy savings, CO2 emission reductions, and investment payback periods. Biodegradable polyurethane foams demonstrated a thermal conductivity of 0.022 W/(m·K), significantly lower than EPS's 0.035 W/(m·K), leading to higher energy savings. Calculations reveal an annual energy saving of 443,820 kWh for polyurethane foams, compared to 441,330 kWh for EPS. Financially, polyurethane foams save approximately €53,258.4 annually, while EPS saves €52,959.6. In terms of environmental impact, polyurethane foams reduce CO2 emissions by 88,764 kg annually, versus 88,266 kg for EPS. Despite the higher initial cost of polyurethane foams (€50/m² compared to €30/m² for EPS), the payback period is remarkably short at 0.094 years (1.13 months) compared to EPS's 0.057 years (0.68 months). These findings highlight biodegradable polyurethane foams as a superior option for thermal insulation, offering significant energy, financial, and environmental benefits.

Deforestation through land-use conversion, illegal logging, and timber trafficking is believed to cause ~10% of the annual human carbon dioxide emissions at the global level. Given the large contribution, local and national policies have been set in place in the effort to reduce deforestation and support reforestation. However, accurate assessment of forest carbon stock is expensive and challenging in remote areas and on large geographical scales. To improve carbon stock monitoring and evaluation of fine-scale forest loss, we developed a rapid, automatic, scalable, and cost-efficient generalized deep learning framework that uses diverse remote sensing data and satellite imagery to derive aboveground carbon density from accurate estimates of tree canopy heights at fine-grained resolution (30x30 meters) in remote tropical rainforests. The remote sensing data is composed of Landsat-8, Sentinel-1, land cover, digital elevation model, and NASA CMS airborne LiDAR, as well as vegetation indices, texture metrics, and climatic data. Data sources were compiled into a data pipeline which produced >300 features and 2 million observations over forests in Indonesian Borneo. Using LiDAR swath data on canopy forest high for ~100,000 hectares in Indonesian Borneo to create a training and validation datasets, our neural network model produced aboveground carbon density estimates with R2 of 0.82, which is a significant improvement from comparable works by using Random Forest (R2 of 0.3-0.5). This deep learning framework can be used to facilitate further carbon stock modeling in other forest regions (e.g., Brazil) as well as for the general purpose of climate change mitigation.

Confronting the dual challenges of rapid urbanization and climate change, although extensive research has investigated the influencing factors and practical strategies of urban carbon emissions and urban vibrancy, respectively, the unclear mutual nexus between them and the development strategy of collaborative optimization requires further in-depth analysis. This study explores the delicate balance between urban vibrancy and low-carbon sustainability within the confines of Beijing’s Fifth Ring Road. By integrating OpenStreetMap, land use, population, and building carbon emission data, we have developed a reproducible method to estimate total carbon emission and emission intensity per capita. Furthermore, we have introduced vibrancy index data to distinguish the vibrancy evaluation of residential and non-residential land and applied cross-combinational classification technology to dissect the spatial correlation between urban carbon emissions and urban vibrancy. The results reveal that the four combination typologies show more significant differences and regularity in residential land. Based on the discovery of spatial correlation, this study puts forward corresponding development strategy suggestions for each typology based on geographical location and the requirements of urban development policies of these four combination typologies. In conclusion, our study highlights the importance of integrating carbon emissions and urban vibrancy comprehensively in sustainable urban planning and proposes that various land use combinations need targeted development strategies to achieve this goal, which need to consider population, energy, service facilities, and other diverse aspects.

The nucleation of voids in alpha iron and the influence of carbon were investigated through a combination of rate theory and nucleation theory calculations. The steady rates of void nucleation exhibit high sensitivity to carbon. Even a seemingly negligible carbon concentration, as low as a few atomic parts per million (appm), can dramatically reduce the nucleation rates and narrow the temperature window for nucleation. This study highlights the challenges in certifying and qualifying nuclear materials for use in reactor environments. It emphasizes the necessity for precise control of impurity levels during materials processing and stringent requirements for irradiation testing, which are susceptible to contamination. Furthermore, the study provides an explanation for the significant data scattering observed in void swelling behaviors as reported in the literature.

In this study, carbon-quantum-dot (CQD)-decorated TiO2 was prepared using an ultrasonic doping method and applied in the photocatalytic degradation of naphthalene under sunlight irradiation. The CQDs were synthesized from a typical macroalgae via diluted sulfuric acid pretreatment and hydrothermal synthesis using an optimal design, i.e., 3 wt% and 200 oC, respectively. The CQD/TiO2 composite remarkably enhanced the photocatalytic activity. The degradation of naphthalene under a visible light environment indicated that there is a synergistic mechanism between CQDs and TiO2, in which the generation of reactive oxygen species is significantly triggered; in addition, the N that originated from the macroalgae accelerated the photocatalytic efficiency. Kinetic analysis showed that the photo-catalytic behavior of the CQD/TiO2 composite followed a pseudo-first-order equation. Consequently, our combined experimental approach not only provides a facile pretreatment process for bio-CQDs synthesis, but also delivers a suitable TiO2 photocatalyst for up-conversion, along with critical insights into the development of harmful macroalgae resources.

The excellent properties of carbon fibers, in combination with the high price of carbon fibers, makes it interesting to recycle these fibers. Pyrolysis is already an established recycling method to recover the carbon fibers, but in this process also the sizing is removed which could result in lower mechanical properties because of bad adhesion between the fiber and matrix. In this study, recycled carbon nonwoven reinforcements made from pyrolyzed carbon fibers were pre-treated in order to improve the mechanical properties of recycled carbon polyamide and recycled carbon polypropylene composites. The pre-treatment involves applying a to the matrix adapted primer coating to the nonwoven by spraying. Via compression molding, polyamide and polypropylene composites were prepared with and without pretreatment. The tensile and interlaminar shear strength of these composites were measured to determine the effect of the pretreatment. Results revealed that both strengths could be increased by pretreatment of the carbon nonwoven and the increase was largest for the PP composites.

Epoxy matrix composites reinforced with high-performance fibers such as carbon, Kevlar, and glass, exhibit excellent specific stiffness and strength in many mechanical applications. However, these composites are disappointingly non-recyclable and are usually disposed of in landfill sites, with no realistic prospect for biodegradation in reasonable time. In contrast, moldable composites with carbonized elastomeric matrices developed in the last decades possess attractive mechanical properties in final net-shape products and can also be incinerated or recycled. Many carbon and inorganic fillers have recently been evaluated to adjust the properties of carbonized elastomeric composites. Renewable organic fillers such as human or animal hair offer an attractive fibrous material with substantial potential for reinforcing composites with elastomeric matrices. Samples of unidirectional fiber composites (with hair volume fraction up to 7 %) and quasi-isotropic short fiber composites (with hair volume fraction up to 20 %) of human hair-reinforced nitrile butadiene rubbers (HH-NBR) were produced in the peroxide-cured and carbonized states. The samples were characterized using SEM, Raman spectroscopy and photoacoustic microscopy. Mechanical tests were performed in tension using a miniature universal testing machine. The expected effect of fiber reinforcement on the overall mechanical performance has been demonstrated for both cured and carbonized composites. Considerable enhancement of the elastic modulus (up to 10 times), ultimate tensile strength (up to 3 times) and damage tolerance was achieved. The evidence of satisfactory interfacial bonding between hair and rubber was confirmed by SEM imaging of fracture surfaces. The suitability of photoacoustic microscopy was assessed for 3D reconstruction of the fiber sub-system spatial distribution and non-destructive testing.

Among various processes, catalytic CO2 methanation has emerged as a promising method for carbon capture and utilization. Therefore, a CO2 methanation reaction studied with experimentally. The extent of coke formation on the catalyst after the reaction was quantitatively studied. Then, four different machine learning model were employed in order to model CO2 methanation process and to predict CO2, CO, CH4, H2 and N2 concentrations at outlet. The results of the machine learning models were consistent with the experimental data. Performances of the proposed regression methods are evaluated with 10-fold cross validation. Random forest and decision tree regression performed the best among other methods by achieving R >0.98 for the output concentrations and were able to outperform other modeling approaches. It was shown that the best result among the literature studies is reached in this study. The results have demonstrated the possibility of simulation of the methanation process via machine learning techniques. These techniques can be used control and optimization of carbon capture.

Hypoxia, associated with abnormal vessel growth, is a characteristic feature of many solid tumors that increases their metastatic potential and resistance to radiotherapy. Carbon ion radiation therapy, alone or in combination with other treatments, is one of the most promising treatments for hypoxic tumors because the oxygen enhancement ratio decreases with increasing particle LET. Nevertheless, the current clinical practice does not yet fully benefit from using carbon ions for tackling hypoxia. Here we give an overview of the existing experimental and clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of C-ion radiotherapy in overcoming hypoxia-induced radioresistance, followed by a discussion of the strategies proposed to enhance it, including different approaches to maximize the LET in the tumors.

Despite providing some critical financial services to support the operation of Emissions Trading Systems (ETS), such as increasing market liquidity and price visibility and allowing operators to hedge against future fluctuations, there is growing concern about the potential threat of financial actors' speculation behaviour to the ETS's effectiveness. To confirm or alleviate the fear associated with such concern, we employ both ex-post and ex-ante approaches to determine the role of speculation in the emission reduction effect of the ETS and its forecasting power in predicting climate change. In addition to confirming carbon prices and the speculation behaviour of the emissions non-compliance actors in the ETS as accurate predictors of climate change, we also show that they both matter in the emission reduction effect of the ETS. We use several verifiable econometric approaches to select the Feasible Quasi Generalised Least Squares (FQGLS) as the best estimator for addressing some of the biases in climate change predictability. We demonstrate that a predictive model combining the complementing dynamics of the EST emissions compliance and emissions non-compliance features forecasts climate change more accurately. We demonstrate the robustness of our findings for both in-sample and out-of-sample forecasts and across different forecast horizons by using alternative approaches to evaluate forecast performance.

In this work we successfully prepared a modified cobalt oxide (Co3O4) carbon paste electrode to detect Levofloxacin (LEV). By synthesizing Co3O4 nanoparticles through the chemical coprecipitation method, the electrochemical properties of the electrode and LEV were thoroughly investigated using CV, SWV, EIS, while material properties were scrutinized using ICP-OES, TEM, SEM, and XRD. The results showed that the prepared electrode displayed a better electrocatalytic response than the bare carbon paste electrode. After optimizing SWV, the electrode exhibited a wide linear working range from 1 to 85 μM at pH 5 of BRBS as the supporting electrolyte. The selectivity of the proposed method was satisfactory, with good repeatability and reproducibility, strongly suggesting a potential application for determining LEV in real samples, particularly in pharmaceutical formulations. The practicality of the approach was demonstrated through good recoveries, and the morphology of the materials was found to be closely related to other parameters, indicating that the developed method can provide a cost-effective, rapid, selective, and sensitive means for LEV monitoring. Overall, this project has made significant progress towards developing a reliable method for detecting LEV and has opened up new opportunities for future research in this field.

Carbon dots have received much attention due to their unique physicochemical properties and diverse applications in bioimaging, optoelectronic devices, catalysis, and agriculture. Here in this work, we report a simple hydrothermal synthesis of nitrogen and phosphorus-doped carbon dots (N, P-CDs). The optical and physical properties of the synthesized N, P-CDs were analyzed using systematical spectroscopy and electrical characterization. The synthesized N, P-CDs show strong photoluminescence at 626 nm and demonstrate high stability under UV light and other conditions. Moreover, we incorporate the synthesized N, P-CDs into water spinach by root spraying and leaf spraying. It was found that N, P-CDs could effectively promote the growth of water spinach by increasing the photosynthetic rate, and the content of total phenols and anthocyanins in water spinach

With the rapid and continuous advancement and deployment of advanced energy storage de-vices, there has been significant interest in aqueous capacitors that possess non-flammable properties and high safety features. Consequently, extensive research efforts have focused on investigating zinc anodes and low-cost carbonaceous cathode materials. Despite these efforts, the development of high-performance zinc-ion capacitors (ZICs) still faces challenges such as limited cycling stability and low energy densities. In this study, we present a novel approach to address these challenges. We demonstrate the utilization of a three-dimensionally (3D) grown conductive porous carbon framework cathode coupled with zinc anode cells, which exhibit exceptional sta-bility and durability in ZICs. Our experiments reveal a remarkable cycling performance, with a capacity retention of approximately 97.3% and a coulombic efficiency of nearly 100% even after 10,000 charge-discharge cycles. These findings signify significant progress in enhancing the performance of ZICs.

Activated carbon (AC) is an effective adsorbent for creatinine removal in hemoperfusion. However, the hemocompatibility and adsorption capacity of AC was required to be improved furthermore. Heparin, a widely used anticoagulant biomacromolecule, could improve the hemocompatibility of the absorbents in different ways based on its molecular weight. Thus, it was necessary to study the surface modification with unfractionated heparin (UFH) or low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) on improvement of hemocompatibility and adsorption. In this study, UFH and LMWH were respectively grafted on AC through polyethyleneimine as an intermediate layer. The modification of AC about morphology, mechanical strength and pore structure was characterized by XPS, SEM, TA and BET. It was found that compared with AC, the morphology and mechanical strength AC-UFH and AC-LMWH could be well maintained, but the BET surface was decreased due to the grafting of macromolecules. Furthermore, AC-UFH and AC-LMWH showed the better hemocompatibility on protein adsorption, APTT and platelet activation compared with AC, in which AC-LMWH had lower fibrinogen adsorption and longer APTT than AC-UFH. Besides, it was found that AC, AC-UFH and AC-LMWH had no significant effect on blood cell composition. Finally, the adsorption capacity of adsorbents for creatinine was evaluated. Although there was no significant difference between AC-UFH and AC-LMWH, it was found that heparin could be interacted with creatinine to enhance the adsorption capacity when compared with AC-PEI. This study deepened the understanding of anticoagulation of heparinized surface and provided a theoretical basis for adsorbents in hemoperfusion.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a cytoprotective endogenous gas that is ubiquitously produced by the stress response enzyme heme-oxygenase. Being a gas, CO rapidly diffuses through tissues and binds to hemoglobin (Hb) increasing carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels. COHb can be formed in the erythrocytes or in plasma from cell-free Hb. Herein, it is discussed whether endogenous COHb is or is not an innocuous and inevitable metabolic waste product and it is hypothesized that COHb has a biological role. In the present review literature data is presented to support this hypothesis based on two main premises: (i) there is no direct correlation between COHb levels and CO toxicity; and (ii) COHb seems to have a direct cytoprotective and antioxidant role in erythrocytes and in hemorrhagic models in vivo. Moreover, CO is also antioxidant by generating COHb, which protects against the pro-oxidant damaging effects of cell free Hb. Up to now COHb has been considered as a sink for both exogenous and endogenous CO generated during CO intoxication or heme metabolism, respectively. Hallmarking COHb as an important molecule with a biological (and eventually beneficial) role is a turning point on CO Biology research, namely in CO intoxication and CO cytoprotection.

The build-up of greenhouse gases (GHGs) is causing warmness in the Earth’s atmosphere, resulting in climate change. The transport sector is one of the active members of GHG emissions and it is imperative to use sustainable transport sources to control climate change. The measure aims to encourage citizens to stop using their private vehicles as their choice of transport and instead opt for joint sustainable mobility during traveling. In this study, a quantitative research method was used and data were collected from a sample of 410 respondents through questionnaire. On the other hand, study also took a simulation-based (N=10000) sample size of private vehicle data. The data were analyzed using structural equation modelling. The results revealed that sustainable transportation, climate change technologies and electric rail vehicles reduce climate change in the ecoregions of China. We conclude that sustainable transportation policies could be formulated and implemented to reduce climate change. In response to the research results, it is recommended that, since climate change is a multi-level governance issue and the outdated pyramidal transport industry models must be shifted to a sustainable transportation system model.

Background There is increasing awareness of problems associated with global warming but a lack of a systematic approach on how to deliver more environmentally sustainable dental care. A sustainable world aims to ensure that basic needs and quality of life of everyone are met, now and for future generations. The carbon footprint is an indicator of environmental sustainability. Aim The aim is to suggest an environmental management change for the dental practice focusing on the objective of carbon footprint reduction. Environmental management change design The management change is based on the concept of “Plan-Do-Check-Act”, as recommended by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and described through the environmental aspects of the dental practice. The approach focuses on establishing and implementing environmental objectives, followed by monitoring results and taking actions to improve continually. The environmental aspects considered for the dental practice are activities causing an impact on the carbon footprint: energy use, travel, product purchasing, waste production, emission to air, water use, and contamination of land. Conclusions The “Plan-Do-Check-Act” ISO 14100-2015 model can be effectively integrated into the dental practice setting for its environmental management. A reduction of the carbon footprint of the dental practice is achieved by applying the environmental management change described for each activity.

The direct growth of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with a narrow distribution of diameter or chirality remains elusive despite significant benefits in properties and applications. Nanoparticle catalysts are vital for SWCNT synthesis, but how to precisely manipulate their chemistry, size, concentration, and deposition remains difficult, especially within a continuous production process from the gas-phase. Here, we demonstrate the preparation of W₆Co₇ alloyed nanoparticle catalysts with precisely tunable stoichiometry using electrospray, which remain solid state during SWCNT growth. We also demonstrate continuous production of liquid iron nanoparticles with in-line size selection. With the precise size manipulation of catalysts in the range of 1-5 nm, and a nearly monodisperse distribution (σ_g < 1.2), an excellent size selection of SWCNT can be achieved. All of the presented techniques show great potential to facilitate the realization of single-chirality SWCNT production.

Researchers’ attention has been turned on Health expenditure, Carbon emissions, and economic growth as they play a focal role in the current debate on environmental protection and sustainable development. Our paper endeavors to investigate the impact of economic growth and CO2 emissions on Health expenditure for two main countries in Asia (China and India) using a dynamic panel data model estimated employing the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) for the period 1960–2019. Our empirical results show that there is a significant relationship between health expenditure, CO2 emissions, and economic growth. The empirical evidence indicates a significant positive impact of CO2 emissions on health expenditure whiles economic growth has a negative impact on health expenditure for both countries for the period under study. The population growth rate has transposed effect on India's health spending; on the other hand, its impact on China’s health spending is significantly positive. The strong observable correlation between health expenditure and economic growth is crucial for economic development.

Graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) were produced from flake graphite that had been immersed in isopropyl alcohol solution (70%) and converted to powder form in an ultrasonic bath (5 h, room temperature). Scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and Raman spectroscopy identified 120-nm-thick GNP crystallites and 0.5–21 µm plates with different areas and shapes. Extensive exfoliation was observed by transmission electron microscopy with abundant multilayer and some monolayer GNPs. X-ray diffractometry confirmed 43 GNP layers along the c-axis. Raman spectroscopy indicated well-defined GNPs with few defects and no oxide content. Rietveld analysis indicated a GNP crystal lattice with stacks of parallel two-dimensional graphene layers and tightly bound hybridized carbon atoms stacked in a translational …ABAB… sequence in hexagonal rings.

A methodology is proposed for designing the stabilization process of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers. In its core, this methodology is based on a model that describes the characteristic fiber length change during the treatment, through the de-convolution of the three main contributors (i.e. entropic shrinkage, creep, and chemical shrinkage). The model has the additional advantage of offering further insight into the physical and chemical phenomena taking place during the treatment. Validation of PAN-model prediction performance for different processing parameters was achieved as demonstrated by FTIR and DSC. Τensile testing revealed the effect of processing parameters on fiber quality, while model prediction demonstrated that ladder polymer formation is accelerated at temperatures over 200oC. Additionally, according the DSC and FTIR measurements predictions from the application of the model during stabilization seem to be more precise at high-temperature stabilization stages. It was shown that mechanical properties could be enhanced preferably by including a treatment step below 200oC, before the initiation of cyclization reactions. Further confirmation was provided via Raman spectroscopy, which demonstrated that graphitic like planes are formed upon stabilization above 200oC, and thus multistage stabilization is required to optimize synthesis of carbon fibers. Optical Microscopy proved that isothermal stabilization treatment did not severy alter the cross section geometry of PAN fiber monofilaments.

The behaviour of oxidized and non-oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes in the adsorption of lanthanum(III) from aqueous solutions is described. Metal uptake is studied as a function of several variables such as the stirring speed of the system, pH of the aqueous solution and metal and nanomaterial concentrations. The experimental results are fitted to various kinetics and isotherm models, being the rate law fitted to the film diffusion and particle diffusion models, when the non-oxidized and the oxidized nanomaterials are used to remove lanthanum from the solution, respectively. Sulphuric acid solutions seem to be appropriate to recover the metal from La-loaded nanomaterials.

The Philippines is both a biodiversity hotspot and a megadiverse country. The country also has experienced one of the highest rates of deforestation in Southeast Asia and is among the first countries to introduce a massive reforestation program to address the country’s rapid biodiversity and forest loss. Drawing upon an empirical study from the Leyte island and other relevant case studies from the Philippines, in this chapter, we demonstrate that recovering secondary forests following shifting cultivation, locally known as kaingin have the high potentials for biodiversity and carbon co-benefits. Based on our empirical study, we also found that secondary forest regrowing after kaingin use can potentially be used as a cost-effective reforestation measure with multiple benefits to people and the environment in upland areas of the Philippines. We also discuss measures that are essential for such programs to be successful.

This article presents the copper ions adsorption process using an activated carbon from winemaking wastes. The pH, temperature, activated carbon amount and initial copper concentration were varied based on a full factorial 2^k experimental design. Kinetic and thermodynamic studies were also carried out. The adsorption kinetics was found follow a pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption data fit better to the Langmuir isotherm. The ANOVA demonstrated that both pH of the solution and activated carbon dosage had the greatest influence on copper adsorption. The activation energy was -32 kJ·mol^-1 suggesting that the copper adsorption is a physic-sorption process. The best fit to a linear correlation was the moving boundary equation that controls the kinetics for the adsorption copper ions onto the activated carbon. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results reveal the existence of different copper species (Cu²⁺, Cu⁺ and or Cu⁰) on the surface of the carbonaceous adsorbent after the adsorption, which could suggest a simultaneous reduction process.

The harmful nature of high concentrations of antibiotics to humans and animals requires urgent development of novel materials and techniques for their absorption. In this work, CTAB (Cetyltrimethyl Ammonium Bromide)-assisted synthesis of ZIF-8 (zeolitic imidazolate framework) derived hollow carbon (ZHC) was designed, prepared and used as a high-performance adsorbent, further evaluated by Langmuir and Freundlich isothermal adsorption experiments, dynamic analysis as well as theoretical calculation. The maximum capacities of ZHC on adsorbing tetracycline (TC), norfloxacin (NFO) and levofloxacin (OFO) are 267.3, 125.6 and 227.8 mg g^-1, respectively, which delivers superior adsorptive performance when compared to widely studied inorganic adsorbates. The design concept of ZIFs-derived hollow carbon material provides guidance and insights for the efficient adsorbent of environmental antibiotics.

The one-dimensional MoS₂/carbon nanofibers (1D MoS₂/CNFs) are synthesized by electrospinning using exfoliated MoS₂ nanosheets and polyacrylonitrile as raw materials. The exfoliated MoS₂ nanosheets with size of about 150 nm are encapsulated in carbon nanofibers, and the free-standing MoS₂/CNFs can be easily cut into flexible tablet and directly used as binder-free anode for lithium storage. The resultant 1D MoS₂/CNFs exhibit a very high reversible capacity of 700 mAh g^-1 at 100 mA g^-1 after 50 cycles, high rate capacity (450 mAh g^-1 at 1000 mA g^-1 after 200 cycles) and good cycle stability.

membrane separation technology shows promise, particularly gas separation membranes, including ceramic membrane. Ceramic membranes are increasingly gaining attention for their acid and alkali stability, corrosion resistance, high-temperature tolerance, and mechanical strength. This study focuses on alumina support ceramic membrane for CO2 capture. The membranes were characterized using contact angle measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The contact angle measurements confirmed the hydrophilic, while SEM analysis showed even particle distribution in the alumina ceramic membranes respectively. EDAX analysis revealed the elemental composition in the alumina support matrix. FTIR analysis demonstrated chemical interactions of the support membrane. Single gas permeation experiments were conducted. It can be observed that Nitrogen gas permeated faster with increase in feed pressure through the unmodified ceramic inorganic hydrophobic membrane more than the other two single gases, O2, and CO2). As a result, only high permeance separation membranes with realistic size and pressure conditions may be considered of as a practical alternative for CO2 capture. However, the presence of non-selective defects limited the improvement in selectivity of hydrophilic ceramic membrane. In this case, there is need to modify the ceramic membrane used to increase the flux, permeance of CO2, and selectivity of CO2.

Abstract: membrane separation technology shows promise, particularly gas separation membranes, including ceramic membrane. Ceramic membranes are increasingly gaining attention for their acid and alkali stability, corrosion resistance, high-temperature tolerance, and mechanical strength. This study focuses on alumina support ceramic membrane for CO2 capture. The membranes were characterized using contact angle measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The contact angle measurements confirmed the hydrophilic, while SEM analysis showed even particle distribution in the alumina ceramic membranes respectively. EDAX analysis revealed the elemental composition in the alumina support matrix. FTIR analysis demonstrated chemical interactions of the support membrane. Single gas permeation experiments were conducted. It can be observed that Nitrogen gas permeated faster with increase in feed pressure through the unmodified ceramic inorganic membrane more than the other two single gases, O2, and CO2). As a result, only high permeance separation membranes with realistic size and pressure conditions may be considered of as a practical alternative for CO2 capture. However, the presence of non-selective defects limited the improvement in selectivity of hydrophilic ceramic membrane. In this case, there is need to modify the ceramic membrane used to increase the flux, permeance of CO2, and selectivity of CO2.

Biomass exploitation is a global trend due to the circular economy and the environmentally friendly spirit. Numerous applications are now based on the use of biomass derived products. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a highly toxic and environmentally hazardous gas, which emitted from various processes. Thus, the efficient removal of this toxic hazardous gas following cost effective processes is an essential requirement. In this study, we present the synthesis and characterization of biomass-derived activated-carbon/zinc-oxide (ZnO@AC) composites from different biomass sources as potential candidates for H2S sorption. The synthesis involved a facile method for activated carbon production via pyrolysis and chemical activation of biomass precursors (spent coffee, Aloe-Vera waste leaves, and corncob). Activated carbon production was followed by the incorporation of zinc oxide nanoparticles into the porous carbon matrix using a simple melt impregnation method. The synthesized ZnO@AC composites were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nitrogen porosimetry. The H2S removal performance of the ZnO@AC composites was evaluated through sorption experiments using a handmade apparatus. Our findings demonstrate that the Aloe-Vera, Spent-coffee, and Corncob derived composites exhibit superior H2S sorption capacity up to 106 mgH2S/gads., 66 mgH2S/gads., and 47 mgH2S/gads. respectively.

While significant efforts have been made to recycle metals like lithium or cobalt for sustainable development in the battery industry, other high-value materials in the renewable energy sector, such as fluorinated carbon nanotubes (FCNTs), have not been adequately explored for re-utilization after their quality has been downgraded. FCNTs are expensive and energy-intensive to produce, making their sustainable use crucial. This study explores the potential of reusing quality-downgraded fluorinated carbon nanotubes (QD-FCNTs) as eco-friendly nano-additives in microgel composites for water retention applications. By employing a surface treatment process that avoids additional energy costs and environmentally harmful chemicals, we successfully enhanced the interaction between QD-FCNTs and microgels. This treatment significantly improved water retention time by reducing rapid evaporation, enabling sustained water release. Our findings demonstrate a promising avenue for the sustainable application of quality-downgraded fluorinated carbon nanotubes in agricultural and environmental technologies.

In 2004, a significant portion of the spruce-dominated forests in the Tatra National Park (northern Slovakia) was destroyed by an exceptionally strong windstorm. Our study focused on the status of deadwood and its influence on post-disturbance forest regeneration 18 years after the destruction. Since some disturbed areas were salvaged and others were not, we could compare the situations between these two management approaches. In total, 40 research sites (20 salvaged and 20 unsalvaged) were measured, each represented by four satellite-like plots with a radius of 4 m. We measured the diameters of deadwood and its decay status (classes 1 – 5). At the same time, we recorded the sizes (stem base diameter and height) and species of young trees. The results showed that while salvage conditions and contact with soil stimulated deadwood decomposition, the diameter of logs was not a significant factor. The highest decay class (3.83) was found in deadwood on salvaged areas and attached to the soil, while the lowest decay class (3.10) was found in deadwood on unsalvaged areas and in the case of logs unattached to the soil. While carbon content (based on percentage of wood mass) did not change with decay class, wood density decreased sharply with decay class. Water moisture showed an increasing tendency with decay class. Moreover, our results showed that post-disturbance management influenced forest regeneration. Significantly higher tree diversity was observed in salvaged areas (5.40 species per plot) compared to unsalvaged areas (3.85 species per plot). While areas with logging were predominantly covered by broadleaved species, those without logging were typically dominated by Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst). We concluded that although salvage logging decreased the total carbon and water content in deadwood, it can stimulate tree species diversity. Thus, the currently prevailing opinion about the exclusively negative ecological effects of salvage logging should be accepted with caution, and local conditions must be considered before making broad judgments.

Climate change has become a major agenda item in international relations and in national energy policy-making circles around the world. This article studies the surprising evolution of the energy policy, and more particularly the energy transition, currently happening in the Arabian Gulf region, which features some of the world’s largest exporters of oil and gas. Qatar, Saudi Arabia and other neighboring energy exporters, plan to export blue and green hydrogen across Asia as well as towards Europe in the years and decades to come. Although poorly known and understood abroad, this recent strategy doesn’t threaten the current exports of oil and gas (still needed for a few decades) but prepares the evolution of their national energy industries towards the future decarbonized energy demand of their main customers in East and South Asia, and beyond. The world’s largest exporters of Liquefied Natural Gas, Qatar, has established industrial policies and projects to upscale CCUS, which can enable blue hydrogen production, as well as natural carbon sinks domestically via afforestation projects.

SOC stock (SOCS) changes caused by land use changes are still unclear, and understanding this response is essential for many environmental policies and land management practices. In this study, we investigated the temporal-spatial and vertical distribution characteristics of SOCS on the Western Sichuan Plateau (WSP) using the sparrow search algorithm-random forest regression (SSA-RFR) models with excellent model applicability and accuracy. The temporal-spatial varia-tions in the SOCS were modeled using 1080 soil samples and a set of nine environmental covariates. We analyzed the effect of land use changes on the SOCS on the WSP. The total SOCS increased by 18.03 Tg C from 1990 to 2020. The results of this study confirmed that the SOCS in the study area has increased significantly since 2010, with an increase of 27.88 Tg C compared to the total SOCS in 2010. We found that the spatial distribution of the SOCS increased from southeast to northwest, and the vertical distribution of the SOCS in the study area decreased with increasing soil depth. Forest and grassland are the main sources of SOCS, the total SOCS in the forest and grassland accounted for 37.53 and 59.39% of the total SOC pool in 2020, respectively. Expansion of the wetlands, forest, and grassland areas could increase SOCS in the study area.

Thailand has formulated her climate change policy and updated relevant plans and policies to align with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality and net zero GHG emissions. This study investigates the optimal level of GHG mitigation in Thailand, taking into account the marginal abatement cost (MAC) and social cost of carbon (SCC). It evaluates how energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies influence GHG reduction in the power and industrial sector and illustrates policy recommendations that align with the 2020 to 2050 policy and plan period. The findings indicate that there may be instances where GHG mitigation potential is insufficient to reach the national mile-stone. In such cases, it becomes imperative to leverage all technologies within the marginal abatement cost curve (MACC) and also utilization of the social cost of carbon for policy decision making and meeting the desired goals. In certain scenarios, the adoption of additional technologies or measures may be necessary, such as flexible power generation and deploying carbon capture and storage or hydrogen which are high-cost technologies. Furthermore, preparations should be made for multiple levels of climate change policies and plans beyond 2030.

One of the key issues in sustainable tourism research is the gap between tourists' expressed friendly attitudes towards sustainable behaviors and their actual behaviors. Although many "low-carbon" themed restaurants have emerged during the low-carbon transformation of the Chinese tourism industry, low-carbon food services have not been significantly improved. This study takes food as the entry point to explore tourists' behavior and attitudes towards low-carbon tourism in relation to food. We conducted two interviews. The first interview was a semi-structured contextual interview with 120 tourists who had experiences in food streets, aim-ing to identify the core user group: low-carbon attitude-friendly tourists with high-carbon food behaviors. The second interviews was an in-depth interview based on grounded theory with 29 core users, analyzing the four main reasons for their high-carbon food behaviors and their re-quirements for low-carbon food services in tourism. Based on this, we extracted four design ele-ments for low-carbon tourism food services: low-carbon information show service, low-carbon service product attractiveness improvement, low-carbon food environment atmosphere creation, and service providers' low-carbon behaviors. Through these four service elements, we constructed a low-carbon tourism food service design framework based on the core users' needs, discussed the mechanism of service elements, and provided service design suggestions accordingly. The re-search results serve tourism providers, low-carbon tourism researchers, and designers.

Alternative fuels available at low cost, friendly to natural environments and meet the energy needs and demands, have witnessed a growing demand and use today. Ethanol is an attractive renewable energy source with a high content of oxygen. Ethanol can be produced through ethanolisis, however for this work direct blending of conventional diesel, waste plastic pyrolysis oil and ethanol with commercial fuel improver CI-0808 purchased from Innospec company was attempted. The primary purpose of adding a cetane improver was to improve the combustion characteristics of the blends by at least 1- 3 ignition quality points. Five mixing ratios were chosen in the following order, 50:25:25, 60: 20:20, 70: 15:15, 80: 10:10 and 90: 5:5 for Waste Plastic Pyrolysis Oil (WPPO), ethanol and conventional diesel (CD) respectively. However, for the fuel additive mixing ratio the total volume percentage was considered and the ratio put at 0.01% of the total quantity of blended fuel. In this work WPPO, diesel blends and fuel additives improvers were used as alternative fuel. This was to evaluate their performance and emission characteristics in a stationary single cylinder water cooled experimental diesel engine. The CI-0808 was added due to its potential power to reduce emissions of CO, UHC, NO_X, PM and improved engine performance. The results obtained were compared carefully to ASTM standards and discussed using graph curves figures and tabulated values. The conclusion was that ethanol and WPPO blends can be used in diesel engines as alternative fuel without modification. Used in combination with cetane improvers the emissions reduce significantly and performance improved equalling that of conventional diesel fuel.

This study evaluates the efficiency of biodegradable polyurethane foams as thermal insulation materials compared to conventional materials like expanded polystyrene (EPS). Key parameters analyzed include thermal conductivity, energy savings, CO2 emission reductions, and investment payback periods. Biodegradable polyurethane foams demonstrated a thermal conductivity of 0.022 W/(m·K), significantly lower than EPS’s 0.035 W/(m·K), leading to higher energy savings. Calculations reveal an annual energy saving of 443,820 kWh for polyurethane foams, compared to 441,330 kWh for EPS. Financially, polyurethane foams save approximately €53,258.4 annually, while EPS saves €52,959.6. In terms of environmental impact, polyurethane foams reduce CO2 emissions by 88,764 kg annually, versus 88,266 kg for EPS. Despite the higher initial cost of polyurethane foams (€50/m² compared to €30/m² for EPS), the payback period is remarkably short at 0.094 years (1.13 months) compared to EPS’s 0.057 years (0.68 months). These findings highlight biodegradable polyurethane foams as a superior option for thermal insulation, offering significant energy, financial, and environmental benefits.

Current paper is aiming to show the obtained results in manufacturing and characterization of graphite-based and metal composite materials suitable to be used in high voltage applications of automotive and/or aviation field. Thus, 4 types of materials have been processed and tested in order to assess their suitability to be used as current collector material for electric engines. The novelty of this work is the presentation of the new innovative technological process for obtaining the carbon/metal composite material used in the manufacture of sliding contacts for current collector heads, as well as the characteristics obtained for this material. All 4 obtained materials have been characterized from structural, mechanical and functional point of view and the most suitable of them has been chosen to be further developed by the end beneficiary.

This study addresses the global issue of recycling used vehicle rubbish tires, typically burned out or trimmed to be reused in playground floors or road banks. In this study we explore a novel environmentally responsive approach or decomposing and recovering the carbon black particles contained in tires (25-30 wt.%) by vacuum pyrolysis. Given that carbon black is well known for its UV protection in plastics, the objective of this research is to provide an ecological alternative to commercial carbon black of fossil origin by recycling the carbon black (rCB) from used tires. In our research, we create a composite material using rCB and high density polyethylene (HDPE). In this article we present the environmental aging studies carried out to this composite material. The topographic evolution of the samples with aging and the oxidation kinetic of the surface and through the thickness were studied. A Beer-Lambert law is used to relate the oxidative index to the characteristic depth of the samples. This work helps to demonstrate the feasibility of using recycled carbon black particles from waste tires as a filler for UV protection.

This ambitious research project seeks to revolutionize sustainable glucose production by harnessing solar energy for the conversion of atmospheric gases. The process involves water collection, electrolysis for hydrogen and oxygen production, PDMS membrane-based CO2 collection, CO2 splitting, formaldehyde generation, and the synthesis of glucose/sucrose. Key innovations include the strategic application of PDMS membranes with varying pore sizes and non-reactive chemical layers to facilitate selective permeability for specific gases. Our goal is to create a cost-effective, eco-friendly glucose production method, paving the way for renewable and sustainable energy solutions.

The Brazilian Pantanal region suffers intensely from biomass burning during the dry season. Large quantities of gases and particles are emitted into the atmosphere during this period, with serious implications for fauna and flora. Understanding the dynamics of these emissions is es-sential for mitigating the ecosystem, its functioning, and possible anthropogenic disturbances. In this sense, this study analyzed emissions over the north of the Brazilian Pantanal during the 2022 drought. Measurements of concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), Black carbon (BC), and elemental concentration (25 chemical elements) were determined by gravimetry, reflectance analysis, and X-ray fluorescence, respectively, for samples collected between August and Octo-ber 2022. The average concentrations of PM2.5 and BC had their values increased by approxi-mately 4 and 2.5 times, respectively, when compared to the averages from a decade ago. The maximum concentrations found are close to values typical of the southern Amazon region, a re-gion with high rates of deforestation and changes in land use. The elemental analysis showed large changes in concentrations, mainly associated with biomass burning emission (BB) and soil resuspension. Furthermore, analyses of lead (Pb) concentrations showed strong anthropization at the study site.

This study investigates the impact of plasma gradient modification and gradient illumination on the optoelectronic properties of buckypaper (BP), a flexible and large-scale material composed of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The BP samples were subjected to argon ion plasma treatment at varying power levels and durations, thereby creating different carrier concentration gradients on the surface. The photovoltage and photocurrent responses of the samples were then measured under uniform full illumination and gradient illumination conditions. The findings revealed that both plasma gradient modification and gradient illumination significantly enhanced the optoelectronic performance of BP. Notably, the combined application of these two methods yielded superior results compared to the application of either method alone. Specifically, the optimal plasma power for improving BP was found to be 20W. Under conditions of plasma gradient modification and gradient illumination, a photovoltage of 267.76 μV was generated, which represents a 21.44 times increase, and a photocurrent of 15.69 μA, reflecting a 32.69 times enhancement. The mechanism underlying this optoelectronic effect can be attributed to the presence of π-bonds in the carbon atoms. These π-bonds are excited by photons, resulting in the generation of small voltages and currents. This study underscores the potential of BP as an optoelectronic material and introduces a novel approach to enhance its optoelectronic properties through plasma gradient modification and gradient illumination.

Thermal analysis is widely employed for the characterization of nanomaterials. It encompasses a variety of techniques that allow the evaluation of the physicochemical properties of a material by monitoring its response under controlled temperature. In the case of carbon nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes and graphene derivatives, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is particularly useful to determine the quality and stability of the sample, presence of impurities and the degree of functionalization or doping after post-synthesis treatments. Furthermore, TGA is widely used to evaluate the thermal stability against oxidation by air, which can be for instance enhanced by the purification of the material and by nitrogen doping, finding application in areas where a retarded combustion of the material is required. Herein, we have evaluated key parameters that play a role in the data obtained from TGA. Within this study we show that the thermogravimetric curve of carbon nanomaterials is greatly influenced by these parameters. This is important in terms of data recording and their analysis, since a poor control of the conditions of measurement might lead to false conclusions. We highlight this by analyzing different samples of graphene and carbon nanotubes where both thermal stability and sample purity assessment are found to be dependent on the employed TGA parameters. Finally, a set of TGA parameters are recommended for the analysis of carbon nanomaterials to obtain reliable data.¡

The escalating global demand for clean water has propelled research into sustainable and cost-effective purification methods. Activated carbon (AC) derived from biowaste materials presents an environmentally friendly and economically viable solution for water treatment. This review article provides an extensive overview of the synthesis techniques, characterization methods, and applications of biowaste activated carbon (BAC) for water purification. It discusses the diverse sources of biowaste, such as agricultural residues, food waste, and biomass, and explores various activation methods including physical, chemical, and biological processes. Furthermore, the article examines the adsorption mechanisms, performance factors, regeneration strategies, and emerging trends in BAC synthesis and application. Insights from this review can guide future research endeavors and facilitate the development of sustainable water purification technologies.

Glassy carbon (GC) microelectrodes have been successfully used for detection of electroactive neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin through voltammetry. However, non-electroactive neurotransmitters such as glutamate, lactate, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are inherently unsuitable for detection through voltammetry techniques without functionalizing the surface of the microelectrodes. To that end, we present here the immobilization of L-glutamate oxidase (GluOx) enzyme on the surface of GC microelectrodes to enable catalysis of chemical reaction between L-glutamate, oxygen, and water to produce H2O2, an electroactive byproduct that is readily detectable through voltammetry. This immobilization of GluOx on the surface of bare GC microelectrodes and the subsequent catalytic reduction of H2O2 through fast scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) helped demonstrate indirect in vitro detection of glutamate, a non-electroactive molecule, at concentrations as low as 10 nM. The functionalized microelectrodes formed part of 4-channel arrays of microelectrodes (30 m x 60 m) on a 1.6 cm long neural probe supported on a flexible polymer, with potential for in vivo applications. The type and strength of the bond between the GC microelectrode surface and its functional groups on one hand, and glutamate and the immobilized functionalization matrix on the other hand, were investigated through molecular dynamics (MD) modeling and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Both MD modeling and FTIR demonstrated the presence of several covalent bonds in the form of C-O (carbon-oxygen polar covalent bond), C=O (carbonyl), C-H (alkenyl), N-H (hydrogen bond), C-N (carbon-nitrogen single bond), and C≡N (triple carbon nitrogen bond). Further, penetration tests on agarose hydrogel model confirmed that the probes are mechanically robust with their penetrating forces being much lower than the fracture force of the probe material.

This study focuses on solving rural problems, sustaining environmental conditions, pastures improvement, and reduction of CO2 concentration, suggesting inoculated vegetation types found in the tropics as a nature-based solution for degraded agroecosystems. Noninoculated plants are intensively used for revegetation of degraded and mined lands, AMF taxonomic and plant-fungal ecological studies. Among those grasses, Urochloa brizantha is a tropical forage, having vigorous deep roots, commonly used for arbuscular mycorrhizae (AMF) multiplication in glasshouse and nursery, developing infective propagules to be conserved in germplasm banks. Other grass species, such as Urochloa decumbens, is also used for arbuscular mycorrhizal multiplication in addition to its cultivation for guaranteeing the sustainable of livestock systems. In the present study, a site of 100 m2 was selected to take soil samples in a plain area, with U. brizantha pasture, and the soil chemical characterization, microcharcoal content and AMF spore identification, were evaluated 3+6showing high amount of potassium (K), high microcharcoal content and the occurrence of 11.32 spores of AMF, most of Glomeraceae, in the rhizosphere of U. brizantha. Due to its economic importance for sustainable agricultural production and other uses besides its environmental services, as important promoters of soil carbon on grazing lands, more detailed research is needed on the biotic interactions and inoculant production in of the studied grasses.

Emulsifiers like egg yolk (EY) are necessary for the formation of mayonnaise, which is an oil-in-water type colloid. This study aimed to assess the potential of defatted soybean powder treated with supercritical carbon dioxide (DSF-SC) in enhancing the quality of plant-based may-onnaise as plant-based alternatives gain popularity. This study involved producing DSF-SC and comparing its quality attributes to those of mayonnaise made with varying amounts of control soy flour (CSF), DSF-SC, and EY. It was found that mayonnaise made with DSF-SC, with increased emulsifier quantity, showed better emulsion stability, viscosity, and smaller, more uniform particle size compared with CSF mayonnaise. Additionally, DSF-SC mayonnaise was overall rated higher in sensory evaluation. The addition of approximately 2% DSF-SC positively influenced the emul-sion and sensory properties of the vegan mayonnaise, making DSF-SC a promising plant-based alternative emulsifier for replacing animal ingredients.

This study deals with the preparation of adsorbents from a commercial xerogel by chemically modifying its surface with concentrated mineral acids and alkali metal chlorides, their physicochemical characterization, and their use as adsorbents for gallic acid in aqueous solution. The prepared adsorbents have a high specific surface area (347-563 m2 g-1), better pore development for samples treated with alkali metal chlorides than with mineral acids and are more acidic than the initial xerogel (p.z.c range 2.49-6.87 vs. 7.20). The adsorption properties of the commercial xerogel improved over a wide range of pH and temperature. The experimental results indicate that the adsorption process is thermodynamically favored.

The combustion of fuel oil releases sulfur compounds, which react to form sulfur oxides that are harmful to the environment and pose a threat to human health. To mitigate these negative effects, it is crucial to pretreat fuel oil through desulfurization processes. One promising approach involves the use of deep eutectic solvents (DESs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and their composites (DESs/CNTs) to effectively reduce sulfur content in fuel oil.However, the conventional methods of DES-based extraction desulfurization and CNT-based adsorption desulfurization suffer from low desulfurization rates. Additionally, the composite material DESs/CNTs is in a semi-solidified form, resulting in high viscosity, complex operation procedures, and increased waste and environmental pollution. To address these challenges, this study focused on the preparation of CNTs/PEG-PVA hydrogel. This hydrogel not only maintains the high desulfurization rate observed in the DESs/CNTs composite material but also possesses several advantages. Firstly, it is convenient to use, offering ease of handling and application. Secondly, it is biodegradable, meaning it can break down naturally over time, reducing its impact on the environment. Lastly, the hydrogel is reusable, allowing for repeated use, thereby minimizing material waste. The desulfurization rate achieved with the CNTs/PEG-PVA hydrogel is remarkably high, reaching up to 99.8%. Moreover, the material utilization rate is close to 100%, meaning that almost all of the hydrogel is utilized in the desulfurization process, reducing unnecessary material consumption. In summary, the innovative CNTs/PEG-PVA hydrogel presents a highly efficient and environmentally friendly solution for desulfurization in fuel oil. Its superior desulfurization rate, alongside its convenience, biodegradability, and reusability, positions it as a promising alternative that not only ensures effective desulfurization but also contributes to sustainable practices in the energy industry.

Carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations in wildfire plumes are easily measured from satellites. This gas can be used as a proxy for carbon dioxide. Forest fires play an important role in the carbon balance and in particular the CO balance. The most likely causes of mega-fires of 2003, 2012, 2021, and 2023 in the Northern hemisphere are heat waves and severe droughts associated with changes in general circulation. Here we analyze satellite data obtained by two different sounders, AIRS and TROPOMI. Different sensitivity to the lowest troposphere allows obtaining information about anthropogenic or pyrogenic contamination of the boundary layer. Shapes of areas polluted by mega-fires in 2019-2020 (Southeastern Australia) and 2021 (Central Siberia) coincide with the areas occupied by coal deposits. The Siberian Lena and Tunguska coal basins are the two largest coal fields in the world. In 2021, their combined area accounted for 90% of fire CO emission from the entire Russian Federation. So strong fires have not observed in this area before. Under- and sub-ground coal combustion may be included into the list of wildfire fuels, at least their role for ignition should be admitted. Further research is needed to assess the importance of coal fires to global climate.

Excessive nitrogen application has become a hidden danger threatening the sustainable development of agriculture. Exploring the potential genes will help to improve the nitrogen availability of wheat through molecular breeding. We therefore conducted wheat transcriptomics and proteomics researches under complete culture medium without nitrogen (N0) and complete culture medium with nitrogen (N1). The results showed that, the nitrogen deficit decreased the fresh weight, N content and net photosynthetic rate of winter wheat. 3949 and 2675 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the shoot and root, respectively, while 164 and 129 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in the shoot and root respectively. 9 genes in shoot and 26 genes in root showed the same trends in RNA and protein levels. 5 genes in shoot and 4 genes in root showed the opposite trends in RNA and protein levels. Pathway enrichment of wheat transcriptome and proteome under nitrogen deficit proposed 3 candidate genes related to photosynthesis in shoot, 4 candidate genes related to carbon metabolism in shoot, and 12 candidate genes related to carbon metabolism in root. Meanwhile, the chromosomal and subcellular localization of these genes were listed, which will provide reference for improving nitrogen availability through molecular breeding.

A study on the dependence of the thermal conductivity of the percolation network of carbon nanotubes (or CNTs) on the type and degree of functionalization has been carried out. The study was focused on the influence of the more commonly used -COOH, -OH and -СОNH2 groups. A non-linear dependence of the conductivity on the number of functional groups has been revealed. A small number of functional groups can improve conductivity, and a large one can impair it. We presuppose the existence of competing processes that increase thermal conductivity (changes in the CNT geometry, improvement of the contact between them) and enhance photon scattering (emergence of defects and scattering centers). The data can be used for controlling the thermophysical properties of the CNTs as well as determining the optimal degree of functionalization during the development of composites and nanodevices.

This manuscript explores sustainable agriculture's role in mitigating environmental challenges and meeting the nutritional needs of a growing global population. The objective is to assess the impact of different fertilizers on two distinct tomato-growing soils, each characterized by unique chemical and biological properties. The study compares four fertilizer treatments: Additionally, it evaluates the environmental implications of these fertilizers, focusing on their Carbon and Water Footprints. The findings indicate significant improvements in soil quality with SBO fertilizer. Both soils experienced a shift towards a near-neutral pH, increased organic matter content, and heightened microbial biomass. Enzyme activities were notably superior in SBO-treated soils. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) results demonstrate that the SBO-based system is the most sustainable, with the lowest Carbon footprint. NPK exerts the highest environmental impact. The Water Footprint analysis aligns with these results, showing that SBO requires the least water for tomato production. In summary, this study underscores the significance of sustainable fertilization practices in improving soil quality and reducing environmental footprints in agriculture, offering potential benefits for food production and environmental conservation.

Polymers' controlled pyrolysis is an economical and environmentally friendly solution to prepare activated carbon. However, due to the experimental difficulty in measuring the dependence between tissues and pyrolysis parameters at high temperatures, the unknown pyrolysis mechanism hinders access to the target products with desirable morphologies and performances. In this study, we investigate the pyrolysis process of polystyrene under different heating rates and temperatures employing reactive molecular dynamics (ReaxFF-MD) simulations. A clear profile of the generation of pyrolysis products determined by the temperature and heating rate is constructed. It is found that the heating rate affects the type and amount of pyrolysis intermediates and their timing, and low-rate heating helps yield more diverse pyrolysis intermediates. While the temperature affects the pyrolytic tissues of the final equilibrium products, either too low or too high a target temperature is detrimental to generating large areas of graphitized tissue. The established theoretical evolution process matches experiments well, thus contributing to preparing target activated carbons by referring to the regulatory mechanism of pyrolytic tissues.

Demand for nutmeg essential oil in Indonesia and the world is increasing. Nutmeg essential oil is obtained from young nutmeg seeds extracted by water steam distillation (WSD). The weakness of the extraction process with WSD is the long distillation time (24 hours), wasteful of fuel, wasteful of manpower, produces polluting gases which damage the environment and requires a lot of water as a coolant. The purpose of this study was to compare the WSD and SCFE methods for extracting nutmeg essential oil. The research was conducted by extracting nutmeg essential oil using two methods are WSD and SCFE. The results showed that the chemical composition of the nutmeg essential oil produced by the two methods was almost similar. Nutmeg essential oil produced by both methods shows the same characterization. The yield between the two methods is almost the same, in the range of 10-12% using extraction time 15-60 minutes. The SCFE method has advantages over WSD are a faster extraction time, does not require heating materials and CO2 gas can be reused. In conclusion, SCFE is an alternative method to increase the production of nutmeg oil.

The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) stands as the paramount tropical phenomenon of climatic magnitude resulting from ocean-atmosphere interaction. Due to its atmospheric teleconnection mechanism, ENSO wields influence over diverse environmental variables spanning distinct atmospheric scales, thereby potentially impacting the spatiotemporal distribution of atmospheric aerosols. Within this framework, this study aims to appraise the relationship between ENSO and atmospheric aerosols across the Legal Amazon during the period between 2006 and 2011. Over this quinquennium, four ENSO events were identified. Concurrently, an analysis was conducted on the spatiotemporal variability of aerosol optical depth (AOD) and AOD extinction for Black Carbon (EAOD-BC), concomitant with said ENSO events, utilizing data derived from the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET), MERRA-2 model, and ERSSTV5. Through the Windowed Cross Correlation (WCC) approach, statistically significant phase lags of up to 4 to 6 months were observed between ENSO indicators and atmospheric aerosols. Moreover, conspicuous increases of over 100% in atmospheric aerosol concentration were evidenced subsequent to El Niño periods, especially during the intervals encompassing the La Niña phase, particularly within the La Niña CP (Central Pacific)/Modoki category. By analyzing specific humidity anomalies (QA), exceptional scenarios in the region were detectable. This observation suggests a notable singularity when juxtaposed with antecedent investigations and typical average patterns characterizing the impacts on the Amazonian region.

We report on a new form of nanoscale carbon nitride in the shape of single layer half dome structures grown on the step edges of boron nitride sheets. The half dome structure grown on the step edges of boron nitride sheets. The half dome structures are formed spontaneously at high temperature using Iron oxide nanoparticles capped with tetremethylammonium hydroxide supported on BN sheets. During the combustion process the support, firstly, acted as a reducing agent, secondly, as a source of nitrogen that permitted the transformation of the organic capping agent in sp1 CN chains linked with sp2 CN domains. During the Ostwald ripening process smaller nanoparticles migrates towards bigger nanoparticles, when the nanoparticles come across the step edges of few layer boron nitride sheets the half dome structure is formed. This new method of synthesis has demonstrated for the first time the formation of half dome structures containing cyanopolyynes sp1 chains and sp2 carbon nitride domains.

Four different Mn and Re catalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction have been studied by IR spectroelectrochemistry (SEC) in dry acetonitrile. In the case of Mn(apbpy)(CO)3Br (apbpy= 4(4-aminophenyl)-2,2’-bipyridine) SEC suggests that a very slow catalytic reduction of CO2 occurs in acetonitrile also in the absence of proton donors, but at rather negative potentials. On the contrary, the corresponding Re(apbpy)(CO)3Br clearly displays a slow catalytic conversion already at the first reduction potential. Switching to saturated CO2 solutions in a mixture of acetonitrile and 5% of water as proton donor, the SEC of Mn(apbpy)(CO)3Br displays faster catalytic behavior.