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In this study, xCaO‧5Fe2O3‧(95−x)Pb glasses and vitroceramics containing various concentrations of calcium ions (from 0 to 50 mol% CaO) were prepared using the spent anodic plate of a car battery. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed changes in the network structure as a function of CaO content. The intensities of the IR bands due to the sulfate and sulfite units were lowered, indicating a decrease in the sulfurization degree within the lead network. In the UV–vis spectra, the presence of electronic transitions of the Fe3+, Pb2+, and Fe2+ ions were identified. The EPR spectra were characterized by resonance signals centered at about g ~ 2 and 4.3, corresponding to the trivalent iron ions. For the samples with 5 ≤ x ≤ 12, the signals decreased abruptly, suggesting a Fe3+→Fe2+ interconversion and the formation of the Fe3O4 crystalline phase. A considerable increase in the intensity of the signal centered around g ~ 2 was observed as the CaO concentration increased to 30% in the host matrix. Our results confirm that the higher CaO levels of 3 mol% are responsible for the increase in the radius of curvature of the semicircle arcs in the EIS plots and the decrease in their conductivity.

This study evaluated the potential of incorporating TiO2 nanoparticles (NT) into cementitious composites to provide self-cleaning and self-sanitising properties, as well as the partial replacement of natural aggregates with recycled glass (RGA), ceramic brick (RBA), granulated blast furnace slag (GBA), and textolite waste (RTA) from electronic equipment on these properties. Based on the research results, the addition of NT to cementitious composites led to a significant reduction in contact angle, which means an increase in surface hydrophilicity. At the same time, Rhodamine B stain fading was highlighted, with the degree of whiteness recovery of NT composites exceeding that of the control by up to 11% for natural aggregate compositions, 10.6% for RGA compositions, 19.9% for RBA compositions, 15% for GBA compositions, and 13% for RTA compositions. In a mould-contaminated environment, it was shown that the introduction of NT allowed the material to develop a biocidal surface capacity which is also influenced by the nature of the aggregates used. Furthermore, the study revealed that, under controlled conditions, certain recycled waste aggregates, such as textolite, promoted mould growth, while others, such as brick and slag, inhibited it, highlighting not just the effect of the addition of NT, but also the significant influence of the aggregate type on the microbial resistance of cementitious composites. These improvements in the performance of cementitious composites are particularly advantageous when applied to prefabricated elements intended for the finishing and decorative surfaces of institutional (schools, administrative buildings, religious structures, etc.) or residential buildings.

There is growing interest in the opportunities regarding construction and demolition wastes, such as glass and metal powders, for developing a circular economy and their transformation into new materials. This management and recycling of construction and demolition waste offers environmental benefits and conservation of natural resources. In this paper, new magnetic composite materials were prepared by wet chemical synthesis methods using crushed glasses and iron and steel waste powders as raw materials. The prepared iron–silicate composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, infrared (IR), ultraviolet–visible, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements. The XRD data confirm the formation of varied crystalline phases of the iron ions. The presence of the Fe3O4 crystalline phase was detected in the composites containing the iron waste powders. The inspection of the SEM micrographs revealed slightly better homogeneity for the composite material containing larger amounts of iron waste and heterogeneous morphology with cracks and random crystallinity for the composite doped with steel waste. By doping with different contents of iron or steel waste powder, structural modifications in the silicate network and the formation of new bands in the IR spectra were evidenced. The UV-Vis spectra were characterized by the absorption peaks for both the tetrahedral and octahedral geometries of the Fe3+ ions and the octahedral coordination of the Fe2+ ions with oxygen anions. The EPR data show resonance lines with g ~2, 4.3, and 6.4, corresponding to the Fe3+ ions. Using hysteresis curves, the superparamagnetic properties of the iron–silicate composites were evidenced.

NaH2PO4-MnO2-PbO2-Pb vitroceramics were studied usinginfrared (IR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies to understand the structural modifications as potential candidates for electrode materials. The electrochemical performances of the NaH2PO4-MnO2-PbO2-Pb materials were investigated through measurements of cyclic voltammetry. Analysis of the results indicates that doping with a suitable content of MnO2 and NaH2PO4 removes hydrogen evolution reactions and produces a partial desulphatization of the anodic and cathodic plates of the spent lead acid battery.

Cobalt–chromium (Co–Cr) alloys are the most widely used materials for removable and fixed dental prosthetic frameworks. The fitting accuracy between these components in dental prosthetic frameworks assembles (DPFAs) is largely influenced by the manufacturing method. This study presents a novel manufacturing method that combined two common techniques for obtaining one single framework: casting of Co–Cr inserts on top of parts previously manufactured by selective laser melting (SLM) of Co–Cr powder (CoM). Horizontal (n = 4) and vertical (n = 3) surfaces were microscopically analyzed (n = 770 count sum). The results revealed a high precision of the process and high fitting accuracy between the hybrid frameworks. The average distance measured between the frameworks in joined position was 41.08 ± 7.56 µm. In conclusion, the manufacturing of Co–Cr alloys DPFA using the CoM method reduced the deformation of hybrid frameworks and improved the joining accuracy between them.

The aim of this paper was to examine the effects of adding TiO2 nanoparticles to cementitious compositions and partially substituting natural aggregates with recycled aggregates consisting of glass, brick, slag, or textolite, and to examine the material’s ability to resist corrosion under the action of chloride ions existent in the environment that attack the steel reinforcement. The results show that the changes in the cementitious composite when it comes to the composition and microstructure influence the formation of the oxide passivating layer of the reinforcement. The addition of TiO2 nanoparticles and recycled aggregates impacts the kinetics and corrosion mechanism of the reinforcement. An addition of 3% TiO2 was found to be optimal for reinforcement protection. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirmed the results obtained by open-circuit potential and linear polarization tests. The classification of favorable conditions indicates that compositions with recycled aggregates and 3% TiO2 are the most effective, with compositions in which the natural aggregates were partially substituted with slag being the most effective.

The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles (NTs) on the physical and mechanical properties, as well as the microstructural changes, of cementitious composites containing partially substituted natural aggregates (NAs) with aggregates derived from the following four recycled materials: glass (RGA), brick (RGB), blast-furnace slag (GBA), and recycled textolite waste with WEEE (waste from electrical and electronic equipment) as the primary source (RTA), in line with sustainable construction practices. The research methodology included the following phases: selection and characterization of raw materials, formulation design, experimental preparation and testing of specimens using standardized methods specific to cementitious composite mortars (including determination of apparent density in the hardened state, mechanical strength in compression, flexure, and abrasion, and water absorption by capillarity), and structural analysis using specialized techniques (scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS)). The analysis and interpretation of the results focused primarily on identifying the effects of NT addition on the composites. Results show a decrease in density resulting from replacing NAs with recycled aggregates, particularly in the case of RGB and RTA. Conversely, the introduction of TiO2 nanoparticles resulted in a slight increase in density, ranging from 0.2% for RTA to 7.4% for samples containing NAs. Additionally, the introduction of TiO2 contributes to improved compressive strength, especially in samples containing RTA, while flexural strength benefits from a 3–4% TiO2 addition in all composites. The compressive strength ranged from 35.19 to 70.13 N/mm2, while the flexural strength ranged from 8.4 to 10.47 N/mm2. The abrasion loss varied between 2.4% and 5.71%, and the water absorption coefficient varied between 0.03 and 0.37 kg/m2m0.5, the variations being influenced by both the nature of the aggregates and the amount of NTs added. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis showed that TiO2 nanoparticles are uniformly distributed in the cementitious composites, mainly forming CSH gel. TiO2 nanoparticles act as nucleating agents during early hydration, as confirmed by EDS spectra after curing.

In oral rehabilitation, the treatment of partial edentulism (PEd) is performed by removable partial dentures (RPD) or assembled prosthetic works (APW) composed of several components, fixed to the prosthetic field (Pa) and a removable one (Pb), in order to facilitate the daily hygiene but also the damping of the occlusal forces applied in mastication. Cobalt-Chromium alloys are materials used to manufacture modern prosthetic assembles. In order for this study to be relevant, it was necessary to standardize the design of the framework (Pa) in terms of shape and volume so that the experiment could be reproducible for the five Co-Cr alloys: 0-A (Co-Cr-Mo), 5-A and 10-A (Co-Cr-Mo-W), 15-A and 16.4-A (Co-Cr-W-Fe) and for the three fabrication methods of dental assembled prosthetic frameworks: refractory duplicate method (RD) resulting removable framework (Pb), direct construction method (DC) resulting removable framework (Pb-) and casting over metal method (CoM) resulting removable framework (Pb+). The time allocated to the adaptation process (AP), mechanical processing and sandblasting, in order to assemble the two components was between 43–70 min, even though the assembly between the Pa-framework and the complementary framework (Pb+) was not necessary, CoM-method hs been provide the elimination of AP step. By applying the arithmetic simple rule of three, the percentages for each of the three methods used were calculated, the values of the difference were obtained. The CoM method improves the joining precision between the components of the removable assembly of prosthetic frameworks by 91.7% compared to the RD method and by 80.62% compared to the DC method. According to the efficiency of the methods used in the precision of joining between frameworks components, their order is: casting over metal, direct construction and refractory duplicate method.

This research approaches knowledge gaps related to the pickling process dynamic modelling (the lack of predictability and simplicity of existing models) and answers the practical need for a software tool to facilitate the optimum process operation (by delivering estimations of the optimum corrosion inhibitor addition, optimum pickling bath lifetime, corrosion rate dynamic evolution, and material mass loss). A decision-making tool, PickT, has been developed and verified with the help of measurements from two different pickling experiments, both involving steel in hydrochloric acid. The first round of experiments lasted 336 h (each pickling batch duration was 24 h) and Cetilpyridinium bromide (CPB) was the corrosion inhibitor in additions from 8% to 12%. The collected dataset served for the tool development and first verification. The second round of experiments lasted 10 h (each batch duration was 2 h) and involved metformin hydrochloride (MET) in additions between 3.3 g/L and 10 g/L. This dataset served to test the transferability of PickT to other operating conditions in terms of corrosion inhibitor type, additions, batch duration and pickling bath lifetime magnitude. In both cases PickT results are in accordance with experimental findings. The tool advantages consist of the straightforward applicability, the low amount of field data required for reliable forecasts and the accessibility for untrained professionals from the industry.

Starting from the context of the principles of Sustainable Development and Circular Economy concepts, the paper presents a synthesis of research in the field of the development of materials of interest, such as cementitious composites or alkali-activated geopolymers. Based on the reviewed literature, the influence of compositional or technological factors on the physical-mechanical performance, self-healing capacity and biocidal capacity obtained was analyzed. The inclusion of TiO2 nanoparticles in the matrix increase the performances of cementitious composites, producing a self-cleaning capacity and an anti-microbial biocidal mechanism. As an alternative, the self-cleaning capacity can be achieved through geopolymerization, which provides a similar biocidal mechanism. The results of the research carried out indicate the real and growing interest for the development of these materials but also the existence of some elements still controversial or insufficiently analyzed, therefore concluding the need for further research in these areas. The scientific contribution of this study consists of bringing together two apparently distinct research directions in order to identify convergent points, to create a favorable framework for the development of an area of research little addressed so far, namely, the development of innovative building materials by combining improved performance with the possibility of reducing environmental impact, awareness and implementation of the concept of a Circular Economy.

The use of waste from industrial activities is of particular importance for environmental protection. Fly ash has a high potential in the production of construction materials. In the present study, the use of fly ash in the production of geopolymer paste and the effect of Fe2O3, MgO and molarity of NaOH solution on the mechanical strength of geopolymer paste are presented. Samples resulting from the heat treatment of the geopolymer paste were subjected to mechanical tests and SEM, EDS and XRD analyses. Samples were obtained using 6 molar and 8 molar NaOH solution with and without the addition of Fe2O3 and MgO. Samples obtained using a 6 molar NaOH solution where Fe2O3 and MgO were added had higher mechanical strengths compared to the other samples.

The aim of this work is to obtain new materials with improved sound absorbing and thermal properties, using rigid or flexible polyurethane foam reinforced with recycled fir sawdust from wood processing as well as by optimizing their mixing ratio. In this respect, we prepared and characterized samples by mixing rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF)/flexible polyurethane foam (FPUF) with 0, 35, 40, 45, and 50 wt% fir sawdust (FS) with grains size larger than 2 mm. The samples were evaluated by cell morphology analysis, sound absorption, and thermal insulation performance. The obtained composite materials containing 50% sawdust have superior acoustic properties compared to those with 100% FPUF in the range of 420–1250 Hz. The addition of 35% and 50% FS in the FPUF matrix led to improved thermal insulation properties and decreased thermal insulation properties in the case of RPUF. The results show that the use of FS-based composites with the FPUF/RPUF matrix for sound absorption and thermal insulation applications is a desirable choice and could be applied as an alternative to conventional synthetic fiber-based materials and as a recycling method of waste wood.

This study presents the correct processing of Co–Cr alloys as a method of preserving the properties of the materials as-cast, and therefore they can be safely placed in contact with the oral cavity tissues as resistance frameworks. The basic materials analyzed in this study were five commercial Co–Cr dental alloys with different components obtained in three processing steps. The analysis of the electrochemical behavior at the surface of the Co–Cr alloys was performed by electrochemical measurements: impedance spectroscopy (EIS), open circuit electrical potential (OCP), and linear polarization (LP). In terms of validation, all five alloys had a tendency to generate a stable oxide layer at the surface. After the measurements and the graphical representation, the alloy that had a higher percentage of tungsten (W) and iron (Fe) in composition showed a higher tendency of anodizing. After the application of the heat treatment, the disappearance of the hexagonal phase was observed, with the appearance of new phases of type (A,B)2O3 corresponding to some oxide compounds, such as Fe2O3, Cr2O3, (Cr,Fe)2O3, and CoMnO3. In conclusion, the processing of Co–Cr alloys by melting and casting in refractory molds remains a viable method that can support innovation, in the context of technology advance in recent years towards digitalization of the manufacturing process, i.e., the construction of prosthetic frameworks conducted by additive methods using Co–Cr powder alloy.

The current context provides, worldwide, the need to identify solutions for the thermal efficiency of constructions, through sustainable and innovative methods and products. A viable solution is to produce thermal insulating products by carding-folding technology, using natural fibres and recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) and polyester (rPES) waste, converted to fibres. This paper presents experimental results obtained after testing several thermal insulation composite products produced using a mix of sheep wool, cellulose, rPET and rPES fibres. The results of the research demonstrate the thermal insulation properties but, at the same time, identify the benefits of using such materials on the quality of the air in the interior space (the ability to adjust humidity and reduce the concentration of harmful substances). At the same time, the advantages of using sheep wool composite mattresses concerning their resistance to insect attack is demonstrated when compared with ordinary thermal insulation materials. Finally, sensitivity elements of these composites are observed in terms of sensitivity to mould, and to contact with water or soil, drawing future research directions in the development of this type of materials.

Thermoelectric generators can operate at small temperature differences providing enough electricity for low-power electronics, sensors in distribution networks, and biomedical devices. The article presents the obtaining of a thermoelectric generator and its electrical characteristics using usual substances. Experimental research was carried out using a mixture consisting of several substances (copper sulfate, calcium hydroxide, silicon dioxide, and sodium silicate) in different proportions. The mixture was inserted between two plates, one graphite (hot plate) and the other aluminum (cold plate), thus obtaining a thermoelectric generator. Electrical voltage, output current, and electrical power were measured at different temperatures.

In recent years, natural materials are becoming a valid alternative to traditional sound absorbers due to reduced production costs and environmental protection. This study explores alternative usage of sheep wool as a construction material with improved sound absorbing properties beyond its traditional application as a sound absorber in textile industry or using of waste wool in the textile industry as a raw material. The aim of this study was to obtain materials with improved sound-absorbing properties using sheep wool as a raw material. Seven materials were obtained by hot pressing (60 ÷ 80 °C and 0.05 ÷ 6 MPa) of wool fibers and one by cold pressing. Results showed that by simply hot pressing the wool, a different product was obtained, which could be processed and easily manipulated. The obtained materials had very good sound absorption properties, with acoustic absorption coefficient values of over 0.7 for the frequency range of 800 ÷ 3150 Hz. The results prove that sheep wool has a comparable sound absorption performance to mineral wool or recycled polyurethane foam.