In order to maximize the potential energy utilization of agricultural and forestry waste and sludge, the experimental research on co-pyrolysis was carried out for two kinds of sludge (urban industrial sludge, paper sludge) and a typical biomass straw. The results show that adding biomass can effectively improve sludge pyrolysis characteristics; biomass straw and sludge, there are complex interactive effects between components in the co-pyrolysis process, and the characteristic parameters show nonlinear changes. When industrial sludge is mixed with straw, with the increase of straw content, the initial temperature of pyrolysis gradually decreases, the termination temperature increases, the peak of pyrolysis reaction rate and the corresponding temperature gradually increase, and the pyrolysis index gradually increases; when paper sludge is mixed with straw, with the increase of straw content, the initial temperature of pyrolysis gradually decreases, the termination temperature increases, the peak of pyrolysis reaction rate gradually increases, while the peak corresponding temperature gradually decreases, and the pyrolysis index gradually decreases. Combined with characteristic parameters and reaction kinetics analysis, it is suggested that the straw mixing proportion should be controlled at about 25% during the co-pyrolysis of industrial sludge and straw. During the co-pyrolysis of paper sludge and straw, it is suggested to control the straw blending ratio at about 75%.

In recent years, nanoporous alloys have presented the advantages of a large specific surface area, low density, and simple operation, and they have been widely used in the fields of catalysis, magnetism, and medicine. Nanoporous Pt-Si alloy was prepared by melt-spun and chemical dealloying, and was characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscopy. Pt-Si alloys possess a three-dimensional bicontinuous structure and an average size of 5 nanometers. Compared with commercial Pt/C catalysts, nanoporous Pt-Si alloys exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activity and stability in ethanol-catalyzed oxidation reactions. It is taken into consideration to be a promising catalyst in direct ethanol fuel cells.

Water splitting, the process of converting water into hydrogen and oxygen gases, has garnered significant attention as a promising avenue for sustainable energy production. One area of focus has been the development of efficient and cost-effective catalysts for water splitting. Researchers have explored catalysts based on abundant and inexpensive materials such as nickel, iron, and cobalt, which have demonstrated improved performance and stability. These catalysts show promise for large-scale implementation and offer potential for reducing the reliance on expensive and scarce materials. Another avenue of research involves photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells, which utilize solar energy to drive the water-splitting reaction. Scientists have been working on designing novel materials, including metal oxides and semiconductors, to enhance light absorption and charge separation properties. These advancements in PEC technology aim to maximize the conversion of sunlight into chemical energy. Inspired by natural photosynthesis, artificial photosynthesis approaches have also gained traction. By integrating light-absorbing materials, catalysts, and membranes, these systems aim to mimic the complex processes of natural photosynthesis and produce hydrogen fuel from water. The development of efficient and stable artificial photosynthesis systems holds promise for sustainable and clean energy production. Tandem cells, which combine multiple light-absorbing materials with different bandgaps, have emerged as a strategy to enhance the efficiency of water-splitting systems. By capturing a broader range of the solar spectrum, tandem cells optimize light absorption and improve overall system performance. Lastly, advancements in electrocatalysis have played a critical role in water splitting. Researchers have focused on developing advanced electrocatalysts with high activity, selectivity, and stability for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). These electrocatalysts contribute to overall water-splitting efficiency and pave the way for practical implementation.

Water splitting has gained significant attention as a means to produce clean and sustainable hydrogen fuel through the electrochemical or photoelectrochemical decomposition of water. Efficient and cost-effective water splitting requires the development of highly active and stable catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Carbon nanomaterials, including carbon nanotubes, graphene, and carbon nanofibers, etc., have emerged as promising candidates for catalyzing these reactions due to their unique properties, such as high surface area, excellent electrical conductivity, and chemical stability. This review article provides an overview of recent advancements in the utilization of carbon nanomaterials as catalysts or catalyst supports for the OER and HER in water splitting. It discusses various strategies employed to enhance the catalytic activity and stability of carbon nanomaterials, such as surface functionalization, hybridization with other active materials, and optimization of nanostructure and morphology. The influence of carbon nanomaterial properties, such as defect density, doping, and surface chemistry, on electrochemical performance is also explored. Furthermore, the article highlights the challenges and opportunities in the field, including scalability, long-term stability, and integration of carbon nanomaterials into practical water splitting devices. Overall, carbon nanomaterials show great potential for advancing the field of water splitting and enabling the realization of efficient and sustainable hydrogen production.

Photocatalysis, an innovative technology, holds promise for addressing industrial pollution issues across aqueous solutions, surfaces, and gaseous effluents. The efficiency of photodegradation is notably influenced by light intensity and duration, underscoring the importance of optimizing these parameters. Furthermore, temperature and pH have a significant impact on pollutant speciation, surface chemistry, and reaction kinetics; therefore, process optimization must consider these factors. Photocatalytic degradation is an effective method for treating water in environmental remediation, providing a flexible and eco-friendly way to eliminate organic contaminants from wastewater. Selectivity in photocatalytic degradation is achieved by a multidisciplinary approach that includes reaction optimization, catalyst design, and profound awareness of chemical processes. To create efficient and environmentally responsible methods for pollution removal and environmental remediation, researchers are working to improve these components.

This research paper explores the influence of first-order chemical reactions on the sustainable properties of electrically conducting magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) fluids in a vertical channel with the unique characteristics of Jeffrey fluid flow. The mathematical model of MHD flow with Jeffrey fluid and chemical reaction incorporates the impacts of viscous dissipation, Joule heating, and a non-Newtonian fluid model with viscoelastic properties in the flow regions. The governing equations of the flow field were solved using the finite difference method, and the impacts of flow parameters on the flow characteristics were discussed numerically using a graphical representation. It’s revealed that increasing the Jeffrey parameter results in a decline in the velocity field profiles. Also, species concentration field profiles decline with higher values of the destruction chemical reaction parameter. The findings of this study have significant implications for various engineering applications, including energy generation, aerospace engineering, and material processing. Additionally, the inclusion of Jeffrey’s fluid flow introduces a viscoelastic component, enhancing the complexity of the fluid dynamics.