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The decarbonization of transportation plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change, and biodiesel has emerged as a promising solution due to its renewable and eco-friendly nature. However, in order to maintain the momentum of the "green trend" and ensure energy security, an ecologically friendly pathway is important to produce efficient biodiesel. In this work, activated carbon (AC) obtained from rice husk (RH) is hydrothermally prepared and modified through cobalt transition metal for catalyst support for the transesterification process. The physicochemical characteristics of the synthesized catalysts are examined using XRD, FTIR, SEM and EDS, TGA, and BET, while the produced biodiesel is also characterized using Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). To optimize the transesterification process, Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME) are produced by the conversion of waste cooking oil. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is used to validate temperature (75 °C), the methanol-to-oil molar ratio (1:9), catalyst weight percentage (2 wt.%), and retention time (52.5 min). The highest conversion rate of waste cooking oil (WCO) to biodiesel was recorded at 96.3% and tested as per American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. Based on the results, it is clear that cobalt-loaded rice husk-based green catalyst (RHAC-Co) enhanced catalytic activity and yield for biodiesel production. Further research should focus on engine performance evaluation and scaling up of the catalyst by optimizing it for the industrial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The increase in energy and water demand due to industrialization and urbanization requires prioritized solutions for a sustainable future. Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) have shown huge potential for biohydrogen production along with wastewater treatment. This study examined the effectiveness of employing nickel foam as an anode material for biohydrogen production from the widely available potato industry effluent. RESULTS: Hydrogen production rate increases exponentially with the increase in applied voltage. A maximum hydrogen production rate of 0.69 ± 0.02 m3 H2 m−3 reactor volume d−1 was achieved at 0.9 V with a maximum chemical oxygen demand removal efficiency of 97% at 0.8 V. The effluent of the 0.8 V cycle had the least salinity, low total dissolved solids, 84% reduced total hardness, highest effluent clarity (4.30 NTU, and negligible quantity of heavy metals. CONCLUSION: This study successfully produced biohydrogen from potato wastewater within 5 days of operation along with wastewater treatment of the substrate. The improved performance of the system can be attributed to the unique characteristics of nickel foam, such as high porosity, large surface area and excellent conductivity. The findings of this study have implications for the sustainable treatment of domestic and agro‐industrial wastewater and the development of efficient and low‐cost bio‐electrochemical systems for renewable energy production. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intrinsic ability of microalgae to accumulate high amounts of carotenoids has made them the preferred aquatic organisms of biotechnological exploration for carotenoid production. To continuously innovate and modify microalgal bioprocesses, aquaculture scientists have been working hard for the past decades in a forward‐looking way, and mixotrophic cultivation of microalgae is deemed as a promising strategy to decrease production cost. This review is intended to summarise the recent research advancement of carotenoids production from mixotrophically cultivated microalgae, starting from the structure, biosynthesis, physiological roles and applications of carotenoids and followed by the production processes both currently established and under development. Most importantly, the microalgal physiology of mixotrophic cultivation is reviewed in depth both in general and specifically for the most studied species, and the prospects of commercially viable mixotrophic microalgal processes for carotenoid production along with the insight of future research are of course discussed. Finally, we conclude that mixotrophy might be a promising strategy for large‐scale cultivation of microalgae to produce carotenoids although some technical obstacles need to be overcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have acquired popularity owing to their high efficiency, ease of fabrication, and affordability. In this context, the development of electron transport layers (ETLs) for highly efficient planar photovoltaic devices has received considerable attention. This study investigates the potential of zinc‐tin‐based ternary metal oxide ETLs for application in planar PSCs. Solution‐processed methods are used to fabricate crystalline zinc stannate (Zn2SnO4), amorphous zinc‐tin oxide (ZTO), and Zn2SnO4/ZTO‐based bilayer films, and their structural, morphological, and optoelectronic properties are thoroughly studied. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images show enhanced crystallite size and better surface morphology of perovskite films deposited on bilayer ETL. Photoluminescence (PL) studies and Hall effect measurements reveal superior charge extraction, improved charge carrier mobility (21.84 cm2 V−1 s−1) and enhanced n‐type conductivity in the bilayer ETL. Moreover, contact angle analysis of perovskite layer deposited on bilayer ETL shows increased resistance to moisture erosion (52.20°), which is particularly significant given the detrimental effects moisture can have on the performance of PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]