The optoelectrical and magnetic characteristics of naturally existing iron-based nanostructures, especially hematite and magnetite nanoparticles (H-NPs and M-NPs), gained significant research ...interest in various applications, recently. The main purpose of this Review is to provide an overview of the utilization of H-NPs and M-NPs in various environmental remediation. Iron-based NPs are extensively explored to generate green energy from environmental friendly processes such as water splitting and CO
conversion to hydrogen and low molecular weight hydrocarbons, respectively. The latter part of the Review provided a critical overview to use H-NPs and M-NPs for the detection and decontamination of inorganic and organic contaminants to counter the environmental pollution and toxicity challenge, which could ensure environmental sustainability and hygiene. Some of the future perspectives are comprehensively presented in the final portion of the script, optimiztically, and it is supported by some relevant literature surveys to predict the possible routes of H-NPs and M-NPs modifications that could enable researchers to use these NPs in more advanced environmental applications. The literature collection and discussion on the critical assessment of reserving the environmental sustainability challenges provided in this Review will be useful not only for experienced researchers but also for novices in the field.
PurposeThe current study examines the impact of big data analytics capabilities (BDAC) on supply chain performances of the manufacturing firms. Based on the underpinning of resource-based view (RBV) ...theory, the current study will highlight the significance of BDAC on green dynamic capabilities (GDC), supply chain agility (SCA) and green competitive advantage (GCA). Furthermore, the study examines the moderating effect of supply chain innovativeness (SCI) on the relationship between GCA and firm performance (FP).Design/methodology/approachOnline survey method was employed for the data collection from the 331 managers employed in Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX)-listed manufacturing firms. The hypothesized model was tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique.FindingsThe study results indicate that BDAC has a positive influence on both GDC and SCA, leading to enhanced GCA. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that GCA significantly and positively impacts FP, and the relationship between them is positively moderated by SCI.Originality/valueThis study developed a novel theoretical perspective based on RBV theory and provided empirical evidence that manufacturing firms' performances are significantly influenced by BDAC, GDC and SCA. The study results provide valuable practical implications top management regarding the effectiveness of BDAC and SCA in the supply chain. The findings further highlight the significance of SCI strengthening relationship between GCA and FP.
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•0.5 wt% Mn loaded (Co or Ni)/Mo-Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by wet impregnation.•100% DBT conversion was achieved in 5 min and 25 °C using NaClO as oxidant.•NaClO exhibited ...superior and faster ODS activity than classical oxidants.•Catalytic activity was justified by textural characterization of catalysts.
This study reports the ultra-fast and highly efficient oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of dibenzothiophene (DBT) at room temperature over low Mn (0.5 wt%) incorporated Co-Mo/Al2O3 and Ni-Mo/Al2O3 catalysts using NaClO as oxidant. The effect of disparate operating parameters i.e. mode of catalyst preparation, DBT initial concentration, reaction time, temperature, catalyst and oxidant dose, oxidant type and reaction pH on oxidation process was investigated. Results revealed that remarkably high and ultra-fast A DBT conversion of 100% was achieved within 5 min utilizing 15 mL sample of 2000 ppm (347 ppm sulfur), 0.1 mL of 0.138 M NaClO (O/S-6.6 mol/mol), 0.1 g Mn-Co-Mo/Al2O3 catalyst at pH 12, and 25 °C reaction temperature. A reaction mechanism for the highly efficient ODS activity of Mn promoted catalysts accredited to the synergistic effect of Mn active phase and high oxidizing power of NaClO was proposed. An overall ODS catalytic activity order of: Mn–Co–Mo/Al2O3 > Mn–Ni–Mo/Al2O3 > Co–Mo/Al2O3 > Ni-Mo/Al2O3 > Mo/Al2O3 was observed. Discernment of the surface morphology and textural properties of fresh and spent catalysts were characterized using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy dispersive X-Ray (EDX), and BET surface area analysis which helped in evaluating the catalytic activity results. Due to ultra-fast and highly efficacious nature, simple and safe mechanization, cost effectiveness, and operation at ambient reaction conditions, this study can be envisaged as an effective approach for the ODS of fuel oils on industrial level.
Purpose This research examines consumer reluctance to purchase organic food using the theory of innovation resistance and also extends the theory by investigating the moderating influence of ...eco-literacy. In addition, the authors used a multigroup analysis to identify differences between consumer segments.Design/methodology/approach Data collection used computer-assisted web interviewing and a prior screening process to confirm engagement. Through stratified quota sampling, 1,000 useable responses were obtained from 2,887 recipients.Findings The findings reveal barriers are significant inhibitors to adopting organic food. Among these barriers, usage, risk tradition and image barriers have a significant adverse influence on purchase intention. In contrast, the value barrier has a nonsignificant influence on the purchase intention of organic food. However, the study found that eco-literacy significantly reduces the negative influence of risk and tradition barriers on consumers' intentions. In addition, a multigroup analysis examines notable differences between consumer groups based on education, age and income.Social implications This research has significant social implications for boosting sustainable consumption in Lithuania. It identifies key barriers to organic food adoption, emphasizing the need for strategic interventions. The study highlights eco-literacy as an essential tool in diminishing resistance to organic food, advocating for targeted educational initiatives. Additionally, it reveals the importance of tailored marketing strategies based on different consumer demographics. Overall, this study provides important insights to promote environmentally conscious consumer behavior and overcome resistance to innovation in the organic food sector.Originality/value This study expressively advances the understanding of intentional behavior by exploring organic food within Lithuania's Baltic economy. It authenticates the innovation resistance theory's applicability to organic food behavior in the region while emphasizing the moderating impact of eco-literacy in the link between barriers and purchase intention concerning organic food. Furthermore, using advanced methods such as partial least squares statistical modeling and multi-group analysis, the research reveals how barriers affect the purchase intention of organic food among different groups of consumers.
The main purpose of this study is to explore the dynamic association between financial development, tourism, primary and renewable energy utilization, urbanization, and carbon emission by employing ...the longitudinal data of 52 countries from 1995 to 2017. Empirical results of panel pooled mean group-autoregressive distributive lag (PMG-ARDL) model reveal that financial development significantly improves the environmental quality in developed countries. However, it has a detrimental but insignificant effect on the environment in developing countries. In the case of developed countries, the profound tourism sector is more harmful to the environment due to a large number of tourist arrivals in contrast to the developing countries. There is a wide difference between developed and developing countries concerning industrial, regional, and economic structure, in the effect of financial and tourism development on carbon emission, but both urbanization and primary energy utilization promote carbon emissions. The utilization of renewable energy sources improves the environmental quality in both regions. Generally, it is suggested that investment in renewable energy resources in both regions affects pollution differently and still has the potential to accelerate environmental quality. Moreover, the panel causality test explores that there exists bidirectional causality between financial development, primary energy, and carbon emission in both regions, while a unidirectional causality is observed from urbanization to carbon emission in developed countries. In developing countries, it exists from tourism to carbon emission and carbon emission to renewable energy. Finally, from policy perspectives, the results of this research recommend developing the financial system, and more funds should be allocated in modern and eco-friendly energy projects and utilized energy-efficient technologies.
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•A recrystallization-annealing strategy was developed to fabricate alkalinized g-C3N4 and TiO2 composite.•The CN bond was dissociated while COH was formed.•Synergetic effect of ...adsorption and photocatalysis enhanced the degradation of methylene blue.
This work reports the fabrication of alkalinized g-C3N4 and its composite with TiO2 via recrystallization-annealing strategy. The increased surface basicity boosted the fast adsorptive removal of methylene blue (MB) while the cooperated TiO2 enhanced the degradation of adsorbed MB via photocatalysis. The synthesized materials were characterized by XPS, SEM, TEM, PXRD, BET surface area, FT-IR, EDX and TG analyses. TiO2 nanoparticles were uniformly distributed in the framework of alkalinized g-C3N4 which increased the surface area of g-C3N4. Na was incorporated into g-C3N4 via thermal treatment, and the bond between C and N was dissociated while that between COH was formed. The alkaline and negatively charged surface of g-C3N4 upon Na addition established a strong electrostatic interaction adsorption scenario with MB leading to higher adsorption efficiency of TiO2/Na-g-C3N4 (90%) than pristine g-C3N4 (80%). MB removal efficiency was further intensified (from 90% to 100% within 120 min) upon the sequential operation of adsorption followed by photocatalytic degradation over TiO2/Na-g-C3N4 under visible light irradiation. This study can be deemed of potential applications for the removal of MB and similar dyes on industrial level using the newly synthesized TiO2/Na-g-C3N4 and synergistic adsorption-photocatalytic oxidation approach.
Supercapacitors (SCs) have received much interest due to their enhanced electrochemical performance, superior cycling life, excellent specific power, and fast charging–discharging rate. The energy ...density of SCs is comparable to batteries; however, their power density and cyclability are higher by several orders of magnitude relative to batteries, making them a flexible and compromising energy storage alternative, provided a proper design and efficient materials are used. This review emphasizes various types of SCs, such as electrochemical double-layer capacitors, hybrid supercapacitors, and pseudo-supercapacitors. Furthermore, various synthesis strategies, including sol-gel, electro-polymerization, hydrothermal, co-precipitation, chemical vapor deposition, direct coating, vacuum filtration, de-alloying, microwave auxiliary, in situ polymerization, electro-spinning, silar, carbonization, dipping, and drying methods, are discussed. Furthermore, various functionalizations of SC electrode materials are summarized. In addition to their potential applications, brief insights into the recent advances and associated problems are provided, along with conclusions. This review is a noteworthy addition because of its simplicity and conciseness with regard to SCs, which can be helpful for researchers who are not directly involved in electrochemical energy storage.
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•UiO-66 with defect pores and basic N surface was prepared by mechanochemistry.•Alkaline N-coordination to UiO-66 enhanced crystal stability under basic solution.•Alkaline N compounds ...formed sp2 and σ-π hybridization with Zr cluster in UiO-66.•N-doped UiO-66 showed high adsorption capacity and fast diffusion for rhodamine B.•N-doped UiO-66 exhibited 558 selectivity of RhB/ST (1:1 ratio), 223 times as UiO-66.
Alkaline N-compounds (pyrrole, dopamine and 2-methylimidazole) were applied to induce crystal defects on UiO-66 via mechanochemical in-situ N-doping strategy and their role on its selective adsorption for cationic dyes i.e. rhodamine B (RhB) and safranine T (ST) were investigated systematically. Alkaline N-compounds coordination were proved to simultaneously modulate pore sizes and intensify surface alkalinity of the original UiO-66. The crystal defects constructed 3-D multi-point adsorption structure, which dramatically enhanced specific adsorption for RhB and ST in binary system. Results showed that pyrrole coordinated UiO-66 possessed 30% enhancement in surface area (1549.1 m2/g) with micropores at 9 and 12 Å (larger defects in UiO-66). Furthermore, temperature programmed desorption (H2O and NH3) and corrosion resistance test concluded that N-doped UiO-66 possessed improved alkali-resistance and higher alkaline surface compared to pristine UiO-66. Separation performance revealed that pyrrole-doped UiO-66 showed two times enhanced adsorption capacity for RhB (384.1 mg/g), and 223 times higher selectivity for equimolar RhB/ST than that of parent UiO-66. Textural characterization, DFT simulation and electronic factors concluded that proper defect size and alkaline surface endow the novel defective UiO-66 excellent selectivity, adsorption and recycling performances. Thus, our in-situ N-doping strategy has guiding significance to design MOFs with special and useful defects for unique selective adsorption system beyond the circle of organic dyes on industrial level.
Environmental degradation and global warming are major challenges to humankind in the twenty-first century. Thus, businesses are now adopting and incorporating more sustainable manufacturing methods ...to produce environmental products and services. It is inevitable for organizations to adopt green practices and achieve sustainable performance. This extant research addresses how to obtain sustainable development (SD) through green innovation (GRIN). The main purpose of this study is to develop a comprehensive model by integrating natural resource-based view (NRBV) and triple bottom line (TBL) framework. Three antecedents namely green absorptive capacity (GAC), sustainable human capital (SHC), and organization support (OS) were selected, and their influence was checked on GRIN of the SMEs from manufacturing sector. This study included all three factors of TBL: environmental, economic, and social sustainability in terms of GRINs possible consequences. Data were randomly collected from 304 firms in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia through questionnaire. Convergent and discriminant validity analyses were conducted to assure validity and reliability, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to assess the relationships between variables using smartPLS 3.0 software. Further, firms were categorized into two groups based on company size—small and medium—to explore group differences. Hence, firm size was included as a moderator in the proposed model and multi-group analysis (MGA) was performed. The results indicate that GAC, SHC, and OS have positive influence on GRIN within SMEs. Further, results reveal GRIN had strong significant impact on all three variables of sustainable performance. The study concludes with MGA results that provided evidence of significant group differences, with a stronger relationship between GAC and GRIN in medium-sized firms compared to small-sized firms. Similarly, the relationship between GRIN and environmental performance was stronger in medium-sized firms than small-sized firms. This study is unique and provides practical and theoretical implications. This paper offers an integrative model for sustainability which may be of interest to scholars, marketers, and policymakers.
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