The most significant threat to the ecosystem is emerging pollutants, which are becoming worse each year and harming the planet severely and permanently. Many organic and inorganic contaminants are present and persistent due to various world events and population growth. As a result, there is a greater need for new technology and its application to address the problems caused by developing pollutants. Carbon composite nanomaterials have significant potential in the fight against numerous environmental contaminants due to their distinctive attributes. This review discusses the reports of customized carbon composite nanomaterials to meet the need for specific elimination of emerging contaminants. Physical and chemical features such as high surface area, conductivity (thermal and electrical), and vibroelectronic properties, size, shape, porosity, and composite nature are making these tailored materials of carbon-based nanomaterials an emerging and sustainable tool to remove persistent compounds like emerging contaminants in aqueous solution. Different composite materials are well discussed in this review, along with their adsorption efficiency of diverse emerging contaminants, including Bisphenol A, estradiol, metformin, etc. This review provides insight into the recent trends limited to 2017–2023. The limitations of carbon-based nanomaterials, such as regeneration and cost-effectiveness, have also been overcome in recent years by diverse modifications in the production process, which can be further improved to make these materials well suited for an extended group of emerging contaminants.

Activated carbon (AC) is a versatile and extensively employed adsorbent in environmental remediation. It possesses distinct properties that can be enhanced to selectively target specific pollutants through modifications, including chemical impregnation or incorporation into composite materials. In this study, porous calcium alginate beads (PCAB) were synthesized by incorporating AC and natural alginate through ion gelation in a Ca(II) ion-containing solution, with the addition of sodium lauryl sulfate as a surfactant. The prepared PCAB was tested for Cu(II) removal. PCAB exhibited a spherical shape with higher porosity and surface area (160.19 m2. g−1) compared to calcium alginate beads (CAB) (0.04 m2. g−1). The adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-first-order model for PCAB and the pseudo-second-order model for CAB. The Langmuir isotherm model provided the best fit for adsorption on PCAB, while the Freundlich model was suitable for CAB. Notably, PCAB demonstrated a maximum adsorption capacity of 75.54 mg.g−1, significantly higher than CAB's capacity of 9.16 mg. g−1. Desorption studies demonstrated that 0.1 M CaCl2 exhibited the highest efficiency (90%) in desorbing Cu(II) ions from PCAB, followed by 0.1 M HCl and 0.1 M NaCl. PCAB showed efficient reusability for up to four consecutive adsorption– desorption cycles. The fixed-bed column experiment confirmed the match with the Thomas model to the breakthrough curves with qTH of 120.12 mg.g−1 and 68.03 mg.g−1 at a flow rate of 1 mL.min−1 and 2 mL.min−1, respectively. This study indicated that PCAB could be an effective adsorbent for Cu(II) removal, offering insights for further application and design considerations.

Porous carbon nanofiber (CNF) electrodes for supercapacitors were prepared by using polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and cucurbituril (CB), which is a macrocyclic compound comprising glycoluril units containing hollow cores. Mixture of PAN and CB in dimethyl sulfoxide was electrospun, and thermally treated to produce CNF electrodes. Their thermal stability, surface morphology, carbon microstructures, and surface porosity were investigated. Electrochemical properties were measured using three-electrode with synthesized CNFs without further treatment as a working electrode and 1 M Na2SO4 as an electrolyte. CNFs derived from PAN and CB exhibited a high specific capacitance of 183.5 F g− 1 and an energy density of 25.4 Wh kg− 1 at 0.5 A g− 1 with stable cyclic stability during 1000 cycles, which is significantly higher than those for CNFs derived from PAN only. This demonstrated that the introduction of CB successfully improved the energy storage performance of CNF electrodes.

Composites of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are important materials to utilize the optical properties of CQDs in diverse applications including photoluminescence-based sensing and LED phosphors. Combining pre-prepared CQDs with a polymeric matrix usually causes changes in the optical properties of CQDs due to unavoidable aggregation. Recently, the preparation of composites based on in-situ formed CQDs has been debated to overcome the aggregation limits of the conventional mixing methods. Herein, we have demonstrated the synthesis of homogeneous CQDs composites by simple thermal annealing blends of aluminum hydroxide (AlOH), citric acid (CA), and urea (URA). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy studies revealed the formation of individual CQDs with a diameter of about 2–9 nm dispersed homogeneously over the AlOH matrix. The composites have a broad excitation band centered at about 360 nm and exhibit excitation-dependent photoluminescence which was similar to that of hydrothermally synthesized CQDs from CA and URA. The photoluminescent intensity of the composite was stable to UV irradiation and responded selectively to Cu(II) ion demonstrating its potential application in Cu(II) sensing.

The coatings based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are increasingly developed for their applications, among others, in medicine, in particular for implants in implantology, cardiology, and neurology. The present review paper aims at a detailed demonstration of different preparation methods for such coatings, their performance, and relationships between deposition parameters and microstructure and material, mechanical, physical, chemical, and biological properties. The thermal and electrostatic spraying, electrophoretic and electrocathodic deposition, and laser methods are presented. Characterization of microstructure of coatings, topography, morphology, adhesion of CNTs to a substrate, mechanical behavior, corrosion resistance, wettability, cytotoxicity, bioactivity, and antibacterial protection are reviewed for different deposition methods and parameters. The state-of-the-art in the field of carbon nanotubes shows a considerable number of research performed on CNTs coatings. The different forms of CNTs, deposition methods, parameters, and substrates were applied as process variables. The microstructures and surface homogeneity, chemical and phase compositions, mechanical properties at the micro- and nanoscale such as coating Young`s modulus and hardness, interface adhesion strength and delaminating force, open corrosion potential and corrosion current density, contact angle in wettability assessment, and bioactivity, cytotoxicity, and antibacterial efficiency among biological properties were determined. The summary of so far achievements, strengths and weaknesses, and important future research necessary for clarification of some weak points, development of non-toxic, mechanically and chemically resistant, bioactive, and antibacterial multicomponent coatings based on functionalized CNTs are proposed.

현재 철근콘크리트 분야에서 부재의 철근을 FRP 보강재로 대체하기 위한 연구가 활발히 진행되고 있다. CFRP(Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer)는 특히 내화학성이 우수하여 보수 및 보강재로 큰 장점을 가지 며, RC 구조물의 보강재로 주로 사용되고 있다. CFRP 그리드의 경우 수지를 이용하여 섬유를 결합한 형 태를 가진다. 이러한 형태는 외부의 영향에 의해 수지 혹은 섬유의 손상으로 강도 저하가 발생할 수 있다. CFRP 그리드의 산성에 대한 저항성을 침지기간에 따른 인장강도 변화량 및 SEM과 무게 변화를 통해 확인하고자 한다. 따라서 Ph 농도 1~3의 강산성에 CFRP 그리드를 침지시키는 방식을 통해 내 화학 실험을 진행한다. 황산()을 이용하여 산성 용액을 제작한 후 실험을 진행하였다. 실험은 항온장치에서 60℃의 온도로 침지기간은 30, 60, 90, 180일로 한다. 그리드의 인장강도 변화를 확인하기 위하여 기간 별 시편의 수는 5개로 하며 침지시키지 않은 그리 드를 포함하여 총 25개의 시편을 실험한다. 인장실험을 통해 변형률 및 인장강도 변화를 확인한다. 그 리드의 섬유 및 수지의 변화 확인을 위해 실험진행 전 그리드의 무게를 측정 및 SEM(전자주사현미 경) 데이터 확보 후 실험을 진행한다. 기간별 침지된 그리드와 비교를 통해 기간별 섬유 및 수지의 영 향 정도를 확인한다. 본 연구에서는 산성이 CFRP 그리드에 미치는 영향을 조사하기 위해 인장강도, SEM, 무게 변화를 통해 연구하였으며, 이를 통해 산성의 영향을 받는 CFRP 그리드 부재의 안정성을 평가하고자 한다.

탄소섬유 강화 플라스틱 (Carbon fiber reinforced plastics, CFRP)은 고함량의 탄소섬유 (Carbon fiber, CF)와 고분자로 이루어진 복합재료로서, 뛰어난 기계적 성능으로 항공우주, 자동차, 토목 등 다 양한 산업 분야에서 사용되고 있다. 하지만 사용량 증가에 따른 폐기물의 환경문제와 추출한 재활용 탄소섬유 (Recycled carbon fiber, rCF)의 적용 가능 분야의 한계로 인해 재활용이 제한적인 실정이 다. 본 연구에서는 rCF와 CF 혼입 시멘트계 전자파 복합재를 제작하여 그 성능을 비교 분석하기 위 한 실험을 수행하였다. 구성재료는 시멘트, 잔골재, 고성능 감수제를 사용하였으며, 비교 분석을 위해 CF와 rCF를 각각 6 mm, 12 mm 길이를 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0 wt.% 함량으로 사용하였다. 전자파 복합 재의 흡수 성능 향상을 위해 각각 다른 함량의 다층 구조를 형성하였으며, 전자파 투과를 낮은 함량에 서 높은 함량 방향이 되도록 측정을 진행하였다. 전자파 차폐성능은 재령 28일 이후 네트워크 분석기 를 사용하여 자유 공간에서 측정하였으며, C-band (4~8 GHz)와 X-band (8~12 GHz) 주파수 영역 에서의 반사율과 투과율을 각각 측정하였다.

This paper presents an electrochemical immunosensor using a graphene/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite platform for detecting the cardiovascular marker C-reactive protein (CRP). The immunosensor exhibited a linear detection range of 0.20–100 ng/mL CRP with a low limit of detection reaching 0.081 ng/mL. The composite material provided a 3D porous structure that allowed efficient antibody immobilization and minimized steric hindrance. The sensor showed high specificity, with minimal response to interfering substances. Using differential pulse voltammetry, the immunosensor demonstrated exceptional precision, rapid detection, and a direct correlation between CRP concentration and sensor response current. Overall, this work highlights the potential of the graphene/MWCNT composite platform as a robust tool for early CRP detection and cardiovascular disease risk assessment. The immunosensor provides sensitive and selective CRP quantification that could enable timely clinical intervention for at-risk individuals.

In order to prevent early distress in asphalt pavement and save on subsequent operational and maintenance costs, modifying asphalt is an effective approach. Styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) block copolymers, due to their excellent physicochemical properties, have become a mature and widely used asphalt modifier. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) possess advantages such as a large specific surface area and high modulus, which, when incorporated into asphalt, can enhance its deformation resistance. To analyze the effect of incorporating CNTs on SBS-modified asphalt (SBS-A), this study analyzed the influence of different CNT concentrations on the high and low-temperature performance and aging properties of SBS-A through penetration, softening point, ductility, dynamic shear rheometry, and short-term aging tests. The optimal CNT concentration was determined to be 1.0%. Furthermore, the changes in the modified asphalt during the aging process were analyzed using infrared spectroscopy.

Synthesis of extremely competent materials is of great interest in addressing the energy storage concerns. Manganese oxide nanowires ( MnO2 NWs) are prepared in situ with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and graphene oxide (GO) using a simple and effective hydrothermal method. Powder XRD, Raman and XPS analysis are utilized to examine the structural characteristics and chemical state of composites. The initial specific discharge capacity of pure MnO2 NWs, MnO2 NWs/ MWCNT and MnO2 NWs/rGO composites are 1225, 1589 and 1685 mAh/g, respectively. The MnO2 NWs/MWCNT and MnO2 NWs/rGO composites showed stable behavior with a specific capacity of 957 and 1108 mAh/g, respectively, after 60 cycles. Moreover, MnO2 NWs/rGO composite sustained a specific capacity of 784 mAh/g, even after 250 cycles at a current density of 1 A/g showing outstanding cycling stability.

본 연구에서는 분리막 생물반응기(membrane bioreactor, MBR)에서 발생되는 생물막오염 완화에 탁월한 효과를 가진 분리막을 개발할 목적으로, 친수성 산소 기능기가 많은 탄소나노구체(carbon nanosphere, CNS)를 합성한 뒤, 이를 첨가 제로 활용하여 친수성과 다공성 기공 구조를 갖는 고성능 한외여과막을 제조하였다. CNS는 막 표면에 초승달 모양의 기공을 형성하였고, CNS 함량을 4.6 wt%까지 증가시킴에 따라 최대기공 크기보다 큰 결함을 야기하지 않으면서 평균 표면 기공 크 기를 약 40% 증가시키는 것으로 나타났다. 또한, CNS 복합막의 다공성 기공 구조는 CNS의 등방성 형태와 상대적으로 낮은 입자 수밀도 덕분에 CNS 첨가에 따른 고분자 용액의 점도 급등이 방지됐기 때문이라고 판단된다. 그러나 너무 다공성이 커 지게 되면 기계적 물성이 저하되므로, 기공구조와 기계적 성질을 포함한 종합적인 고려를 했을 때 CNS2.3이 가장 우수하다 고 관측되었다. CNS2.3은 CNS0에 비해 수투과도가 2배 이상 높을 뿐만 아니라, MBR 공정에서 분리막 세정이 요구될 때까 지의 운전 시간도 5배 이상 연장시킨 것으로 확인되었다.

A glassy carbon electrode modified with a composite consisting of electrodeposited chitosan and carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (e-CS/MWCNTs/GCE) was used as a working electrode for simultaneous determination of dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT) and melatonin (MT), which were related to circadian rhythms. The electrochemical characterizations of the working electrode were carried out via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and chronocoulometry. It was found that electrochemical modification method, that was cyclic voltammetry, may can cause continuous CS polymerization on MWCNTs surface to form a dense membrane with more active sites on the electrode, and the electrochemically active surface area of e-CS/MWCNTs/GCE obtained was about 7 times that of GCE. The electrochemical behaviour of DA, 5-HT and MT on working electrode were carried out via differential pulse voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry. The results showed that e-CS/MWCNTs/GCE solved the problem that the bare electrode could not detect three substances simultaneously, and can catalyze oxidation potential difference as low as 0.17 V of two substances reaction at the same time, indicating very good electrocatalytic activity. By optimizing the detection conditions, the sensor showed a good linear response to DA, 5-HT and MT in the range of 20-1000 μmol/L, 9-1000 μmol/L and 20-1000 μmol/L, and the detection limits were 12 μmol/L, 10 μmol/L and 22 μmol/L (S/N = 3), respectively. In addition, the proposed sensor was successfully applied to the simultaneous detection of DA, 5-HT and MT in human saliva samples.

가스 분리 방법 중에서도, 멤브레인을 이용한 CO2 포집 및 분리는 지속적으로 개발되고 있는 꾸준히 성장하는 분 야이다. 이온성 액체(IL) 기반 복합 막은 CO2를 분리하는 데 있어 우수한 성능값을 보여준다. 유사하게, 다양한 공중합체/IL 복합막 또한 향상된 성능을 보여준다. 이러한 공중합체/IL 복합만에 산화그래핀과 같은 필러를 첨가하면 IL과 유기 필러 사 이에서 발생하는 강한 상호작용으로 인해 필러의 효과가 더욱 향상되며, 이는 결과적으로 CO2의 친화도, 선택도 및 흡착과 같은 요소를 향상시킨다. 금속-유기 구조체(MOF)를 사용하는 공중합체/IL 복합 막은 향상된 CO2 투과도를 보여주었다. 이 총설에서는 이온성 액체와 공중합체복합막의 다양한 조합에 따른 이산화탄소분리성능에 대한 상관관계를 논의한다.

이 연구는 코르크보드를 보강하여 건축부재 및 놀이기구의 안전부재 등으로 폭넓게 활용할 것을 목적으로 코르크보드의 중층에 금속, 유리섬유, 탄소섬유를 삽입하여 보강한 3종의 코르크복합보드를 제조하였고, 코르크복합보드의 수분흡수에 따른 치수안정성 및 접착층 박리성능을 조사하였다. 코르크복합보드의 흡수율은 0.37% - 0.45%의 범위에 있었고, 코르크보드에 비해 0.61배 - 0.74배의 낮은 값을 나타내었다. 코르크복합보드의 두께팽창률은 0.92% - 1.58%의 범위에 있었고, 코르크보드 보다 1.4 - 2.4배의 높은 값을 나타내었다. 그러나 이 값들은 일반 목질보드보다 현저히 낮았고, KS규격의 12%이하를 하회하는 것이 확인되었다. 코르크복합보드의 준내수 및 내수침지박리시험후의 접착층박리율은 0%로 전혀 접착층의 박리가 일어나지 않아 우수한 내수성을 나타내었고, 흡수율과 흡수두께팽창률은 상온침지에 비해 다소 증가하였으나, 목질보드에 관한 KS규격을 하회하는 우수한 치수안정성을 나타내는 것이 확인되었다.

In this study, a milled carbon nanofiber-reinforced composite paint was prepared to enhance the anti-corrosive properties of concrete structures. Shorter-length (40 μm) milled carbon fibers (MCFs) showed an increased viscosity relative to longer MCFs (120 μm) owing to their 2 weeks (the decrease was especially strong in the acid solution). A carbon nanotube (CNT)- reinforced composite paint showed similar results in uniform distribution in the epoxy resin. The latter showed a decrease in viscosity owing to agglomerative movement in the epoxy resin. The surface hardness and tensile strength of the composite paint linearly increased as the carbon nanofiber loading was increased by up to 7.2 wt% in the epoxy resin, and slowly decreased after soaking in a sulfuric acid or sodium hydroxide solution for to those of the MCFs, whereas CNTs dispersed in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) in advance and mixed with resin showed lower hardness values than those without dispersion in IPA at the same loading. The mechanical properties such as the Shore D hardness and tensile strength of the MCF-reinforced composite paint increased significantly, resulting in a slower surface degradation of the composite paint concrete in a sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide solution.

In this study platform, electrocatalytic detection of the antibiotic chloramphenicol (CAP) in phosphate buffer (pH 7) was easily achieved using a carbon paste electrode modified with NiO nanoparticles (note NiO-CPE). The peak reduction potential of chloramphenicol on the modified electrode is at (− 0.60 V/NiO-CPE vs. Ag/AgCl), its electrochemical behavior is completely irreversible, and controlled by adsorption phenomena. An excellent electrocatalytic activity has been demonstrated by the modified elaborated electrode towards the NO2 attracting group on the side chain of chloramphenicol. The structure and chemical composition of the NiO-CPE sensor were analyzed by SEM, and the X-ray diffraction results indicated that nickel oxide microcrystals were formed on the carbon sheets. The electrochemical characteristics of the NiO-CPE sensor were examined by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in comparison with the unmodified carbon. Since the DPV technique allows plotting the linearity curve between the electrocatalytic current intensity of the Chloramphenicol peak and their concentration, the proposed sensor showed a remarkable detection limit of 1.08 × 10– 8 mol/L M (S/N = 3) and a wide determination range from 100 to 0.1 μM for Chloramphenicol. The developed sensor was successfully applied in the detection of Chloramphenicol in real samples.

The development of heteroatoms doped inorganic nanocrystal-carbon composites (INCCs) has attained a great focus for energy applications (energy production and energy storage). A precise approach to fabricate the INCCs with homogenous distribution of the heteroatoms with an appropriate distribution of metal atoms remains a challenge for material scientists. Herein, we proposed a facile two-step route to synthesize INCC with doping of metal (α-Fe2O3) and non-metals (N, P, O) using hydrogel formed by treating hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCCP) and 3, 4, 5-trihydroxy benzoic acid (Gallic acid). Metal oxide was doped using an extrinsic doping approach by varying its content and non-metallic doping by an intrinsic doping approach. We have fabricated four different samples (INCC-0.5%, INCC-1.0%, INCC-1.5%, and INCC-2.0%), which exhibit the uniform distribution of the N, P, O, and α-Fe2O3 in the carbon architecture. These composite materials were applied as anode material in water oxidation catalysis (WOC); INCC-1.5% electro-catalyst confirmed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) with a noticeable catholic peak 0.85 V vs RHE and maximal current density 1.5 mA.cm−2. It also delivers better methanol tolerance and elongated stability than RuO2; this superior performance was attributed due to the homogenous distribution of the α-Fe2O3 causing in promotion of adsorption of O2 initially and a greater surface area of 1352.8 m2/ g with hierarchical pore size distribution resulting higher rate of ion transportation and mass-flux.