Dr Ali Salehabadi

Among the major challenges facing the hydrogen economy is the issue of hydrogen storage. In terms of "future energy needs", electrochemical hydrogen storage in solid-state materials is an accepted perspective that could mitigate the discontinuation of primary energy sources. In this study, we demonstrate the electrochemical properties of a complex metal oxide that contains the molybdate group, Dy2Mo3O12. Wet-chemical synthesis of nanostructured Dy2Mo3O12 is primarily carried out using ultrasound-assisted wet-chemical methods in the presence of a variety of surfactants. The structural and morphological observations of the samples confirm a pure and highly crystalline structure obtained in the presence of CTAB surfactant at 900 °C and 30 min of sonication, with an average crystalline size of 29 nm. Based on the FTIR spectrum of this sample, it can be concluded that there are significant absorptions indicating the formation of oxygen-metal bonds. The specific surface area and pore volume of the selected sample are 4.543 m2/g and 0.0284 cm3/g, respectively, demonstrating its porous structure. Electrochemical studies of this sample at various temperatures have revealed an enhanced discharge capacity (5100 mAh/g at 65 °C) with a capacity retention rate of 97%. Based on these findings, mixed metal oxides containing at least one active charge transfer species (Red./Ox.) are suitable for use in solid-state hydrogen storage devices.

Green energies are vital for near-future energy needs. Hydrogen is a promising secondary energy career that counted as a clean-burning fuel. However, hydrogen suffers from a low volumetric energy density at ambient temperature and pressure. This deficiency has been overcome by "solid-state hydrogen storage" technologies, where the hydrogen is adsorbed/absorbed - depending on the type of materials - on a solid surface. Mixed metal oxides (MMOs) particularly transition-based metal oxides have been recently developed for hydrogen adsorption with a superior affinity for hydrogen. Here, we demonstrated two nanosized-MMOs based on (mono-) perovskite structure, Li2TiO3, and LaTiO3. These two MMOs are successfully synthesized via the auto-combustion method in the presence of starch fuel. After confirmation of their structures and morphologies, the samples are used for electrochemical hydrogen storage in an alkaline medium. The average particle diameters of Li2TiO3 and LaTiO3 are calculated to be around 16.74 and 24.46 nm, respectively. The results indicate a higher discharge capacity of LaTiO3 nanoperovskites (1140 mAh/g) as compared to Li2TiO3 nanoparticles (680 mAh/g); as confirmed primarily by cyclic voltammetry (CV), with the theoretical hydrogen capacities of 4.1% and 2.4%, respectively. We believe that novel MMOs can be potentially fulfilled the requirements of future energy targets, arranged and reported by US-department of energy (DOE).

Hypothesis: With increased development and electricity generation, great care to energy storage systems is crucial to overcome the discontinuity in the renewable production. Hydrogen is an ideal energy carrier for near future mobility, like automotive applications. Solid-state hydrogen storage materials including nanomaterials and layered systems are the key enablers to the future energy needs. However, the current materials are unable to meet all requirements in the storage capacity and commercialization. The hydrogen storage mechanisms (physical and chemical) are the key-points addressing the shortcomings in hydrogen absorption/adsorption in the interlayer space or on the surface of the material. All above require strategy for designing new hydrogen storage materials. Experiments: This review lays the recent foundations in the materials suitable for hydrogen storage particularly alloys, mixed metal oxides (MMOs), and their respective nanocomposites. Alloys and MMOs are two classes of materials with high discharge capacities, appropriate electrochemical performances, chemical stability, easy production pathways, and almost low cost. In the same vein, highly porous materials with a large surface area such as metal organic frameworks (MOFs), MXenes and carbon materials are thermodynamically and kinetically more favorable. Findings: The literature review illustrates that it is crucial to develop new materials with large-surface area, homogeneous texture, active-conductive profiles, large oxygen vacancies and low-cost. Multiphase materials (nanocomposites/hybrids) composed of at least two of above-mentioned materials can meet the established requirements in this field. Also, the present paper demonstrates a general overview of promoted understanding of hydrogen storage mechanisms on alloy/MMOs-based compounds in the energy storage systems. It is hoped that these observations pave the potential exploration directions to dominate imminent challenges in solid-state hydrogen storage.

Rapid scale-up of the technologies for clean energy production, conversion and storage have been adopted by many countries in order to reduce demand for fossil fuels. Primary renewable energy such as solar, wind, and hydro are developed for energy production particularly for electricity generation. However, there are still some deficiencies in direct use of primary renewable energy sources; therefore, secondary energy sources (or carriers) have been recently established as clean energy sources. Hydrogen is a type of secondary energy sources with almost low density and light weight; therefore, it must be stored in the form of liquid or gas. The storage of hydrogen in the form of liquid requires very low temperature. Solid-state hydrogen storage on the surfaces of solids or within solids is a promising solution to above shortcomings for high-density energy storage. Herein, multi-layers solid-state materials with ability of hydrogen adsorption are presented, for the first time, including "mixed metal oxide (MMO) nanostructures" and "silicate layers". The MMO is CuCe2(MoO4)4 nanostructures which synthesized via Pechini method in front of various chelating agents such as trimesic acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, and malonic acid, while the silicate layer is nanoclay montmorillonite K10. In this study, the experimental observations reveal a pure formation of CuCe2(MoO4)4 nanostructures in malonic acid at 500 °C, with almost regular nanosized morphology of 20¿25 nm. The selected sample is then used for nanocomposite formation by dispersing the CuCe2(MoO4)4 nanostructures into the montmorillonite K10 solution. The final nanocomposites exhibit a superior electrochemical hydrogen storage performance, in terms of "maximum discharge capacity of ~ 3750 mAh/g)" and "efficiency of about 70%" in an alkaline medium. It must be mentioned that though the maximum discharge capacity of the CuCe2(MoO4)4 nanostructures is higher than nanocomposites (for example ~ 6000 mAh/g), but the efficiency (discharge/charge) is lower (~48%). It can be emphasized that this nanocomposite can be applied as promising host in an electrochemical hydrogen storage system, which can meet the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) hydrogen storage targets.

Background: Plant-based proteins as an alternative to synthetic polymers have attracted the interest of the global packaging industry in the last decade due to their biodegradability, sustainability, environmental, and beneficial health claims. Scope and approach: This review covers the recent developments in biodegradable packaging such as edible films/coatings and innovative packaging materials based on plant protein sources. The importance, sources, and techno-functional properties of plant-derived proteins for food packaging are discussed. The impact of different additives on the functionality of plant protein-based biodegradable materials is also investigated. In addition, plant protein-based packaging characteristics and their application in food are also introduced. Key findings and conclusions: The sustainability, biodegradability, renewability, and appropriate mechanical and techno-functional properties of proteins from plant origin make them an emerging substitute to the conventional synthetic polymers currently used as food packaging. The functional performance of plant protein-based biodegradable materials can be extended or enhanced by incorporating other additives or biopolymers. Bio-packaging materials made from plant-based proteins provide great potential for enhancing food quality and safety, reducing the environmental pollution.

Many countries are suffering from the limitation of clean energy sources. Global management nowadays is facing severe problems and challenges in supply energy without destroying the environment. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a solution, that makes the best use of organic matter by changing it to biogas to generate of renewable heat, electricity, and fuel. Here, we demonstrate the potential of the feedstock¿cassava peel (CP) and cassava stem (CS)¿to produce biogas, using a continuous laboratory-scale AD reactor (2L working volumes) operated at mesophilic conditions (T = 35¿°C), an organic loading rate of 0.0756¿gCOD/L.day, for 25¿days. Cassava peel depicted high total suspended solids (TSS = 404¿mg/g), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5 = 0.28¿mg/L), and chemical oxygen demand (COD = 378¿mg/L) as compared to cassava stem. Moreover, the hemicellulose and cellulose in the peel are higher than the stem. A compost tea from the vermicomposting process is using as an inoculum for the AD reactor. The highest biogas yield (~ 1000¿ml) obtained from cassava peel with seeding. Polynomial trends with acceptable regression obtained for biogas generation and operating pH. The results also indicate that in the selected experimental range (25¿days), the highest yield of biogas generation can be observed in the range of day 13 to day 20 to be around 56.1¿54.5% (CP + S) and 54.5¿50.0% (CS + S), respectively. Finally, the overall trends of cumulative biogas and cumulative methane yields in both CP + S and CS + S show linearity with almost positive slops.

Rapid population growth and urbanization contribute to an ever-increasing global energy demand, of which the building sector accounts for one-third. The increasing average height and density of buildings escalate the need for vertical transportation, expanding elevator usage and energy needs. This phenomenon accounts for a significant amount of the total building energy use, necessitating a study of elevator system energy consumption. This study aimed to analyze the energy consumption and carbon emissions of elevator systems in low-and high-rise buildings towards energy-efficient estimations. A comprehensive analysis was performed based on a hybrid approach of measurement and calculation using a formula and reference values derived from previous studies. Four buildings were selected and thoroughly studied, representing the low-and high-rise categories. Data were collected based on on-site sampling and observation, as well as information from the building management offices. The mechanical parameters of the elevator system in each building and operational factors in terms of speed, number of trips, load, travel distance, and time were studied. In this analysis, the energy consumption calculation was performed according to International Standard ISO 25745. Annual carbon emissions were calculated in accordance with the USA EPA and IPCC guidelines. The elevator energy efficiency class was determined based on daily energy consumption. It was found from this study that the annual energy consumption of an elevator system is positively correlated to an elevator's daily energy consumption. The annual carbon emissions of the elevator systems are dependent on increasing annual energy consumption, which is also connected to building height indirectly. The low-rise buildings showed better energy efficiency compared to the high-rise buildings due to lower travel distance, less trips, and fewer floors. The annual number of trips, travel distances, and energy consumption had an effect on the energy efficiency of the elevator systems in this study.

Hydrogen energy is a key role in novel renewable energy production/consumption technologies. Traditional hydrogen energy systems are suffered from low density, high production cost, low efficiency, and storage complications. With the advent of solid-state hydrogen storage technology, many of above shortcomings are fulfilled, however, there are several unknown points, particularly in mixed metal oxides, which need more attention. Herein, we report the production of an engineered truncated octahedron shaped nanocrystal containing cobalt (Co), cerium (Ce), and Molybdenum (Mo) ions, emphasizing the general formula CoCe2(MoO4)4 via a solution combustion method. Experimental observations reveal that the CoCe2(MoO4)4 nanocrystals are purely formed in maltose at 700 °C, with almost regular truncated octahedron morphology, having an octahedral edge-size of around 45 nm. This morphological arrangement exhibits significantly an enhanced electrochemical hydrogen storage performance, in an alkaline medium, with maximum discharge capacity of ~4750 mAh/g.

Farmers globally withstand a range of carcinogenic exposures, including pesticides (solid and liquid), trace elements, wood dusts, and solar radiation. However, the potential risk and occupational exposure require more attention, since farming is a very diverse occupation with many tasks. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess potential risks and occupational exposure of pesticides among rice farmers in Malaysia. Field data are collected in a village located in the Northern Peninsular of Malaysia. Thirty-two farmers (which are assigned as F1 to F32) are selected for a thorough look at the farms. In the Northern Peninsular of Malaysia, four different pesticides are frequently used by the rice farmers including buprofezin, chlorpyrifos, difenoconazole, and lambda cyhalothrin. In order to follow up the right trend of exposure rate (ER), the farmers categorise/rank into two levels, 3 and 4, with respect to hazard rating (HR) and frequency rating (FR), and in terms of magnitude rating (MR), they assort into 3 to 5 levels. Finally, a risk matrix is designed during risk assessment to calculate the risk rating (RR). It can be deduced that the rice farmers are a high-risk group in relation to harmful exposure of pesticides under categories 3 to 5. Since the farmers are exposure to a wide variety of different carcinogens, several risk minimisation strategies (as recommended) are urgently required, in order to reduce the impact of exposure.

The global energy, political situation, and energy consumption today are different from that in the early 1970s. Understanding energy use is correlative with the environmental and human health concerns; therefore, other alternative fuels for everyday use are urgently required. Hydrogen, also known as a secondary energy source, is a promising alternative and clean burning fuel; however, it has a low energy per unit volume (low density), therefore requires an advanced storage method. Herein, we utilize an effective method (Pechini) for synthesis of SrCe2-x-y(MoO4)4:xHo/yYb (x = 0, 0.1, y = 0, 0.3, 0.4) nanoparticles, in order to examine the electrochemical hydrogen storage properties of the samples. Prior to dive into this application, the analyzing based-composition, purity, and morphology of the samples confirm the formation of nanoscaled-SrCe2-x-y(MoO4)4:xHo/yYb. The presence of metal¿metal (M¿M) bonds and M¿O¿M bonds affirm the complete interactions between precursors. Finally, the electrochemical hydrogen storage profiles of the samples containing Holmium (Ho) and Ytterbium (Yb), in 6M KOH electrolyte, indicate higher discharge capacities and charge-discharge efficiencies. In addition, as compared to the blank (the sample without Yb and Ho), the SrCe1.6(MoO4)4:Ho0.1/Yb0.3 nanoparticles show an improved electrochemical hydrogen storage properties with the maximum discharge capacity of 3250 mAh g-1 and discharge/charge efficiency of ~60% at 1 mA current.

The theory of an "ammonia fountain" was developed to synthesize a CoTiO3 nanoporous matrix using a modified co-precipitation method at the interface of the aqueous solution and the saturated NH3 atmosphere. On the basis of this theory, for the first time, a new assumption was expanded to show the regular (re)arrangement of metal cations near to the surface of the solution. The morphology of the CoTiO3 phase was observed using SEM. The result indicates the nano-narrow formation of CoTiO3 particles. The size of the particles was calculated at about 27 nm. From the XRD patterns, the formation of cobalt titanate nanoparticles was confirmed.