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The purpose of this study is to look into the hygroscopic and tribo-mechanical properties of a polypropylene/polyamide-6 (PP/PA6) blend and a PP/PA6/Boron sesquioxide composite.

The hygroscopic behaviour of the PP/PA6 blend and PP/PA6/Boron sesquioxide composite was studied using a water contact angle goniometer in this study. To validate the hygroscopic behaviour of the blend and composite, water contact angles and surface energy of the materials were investigated. Tensile strength and hardness tests were used to determine mechanical characteristics, and tribological experiments on a pin-on-disc tribometer were used to demonstrate the friction and wear rates of dry and water-conditioned blends and composites. The melting temperature of dry and water-conditioned composites was determined using DSC analysis.

The hygroscopic effect of the PP/PA6 blend was found to be minimal in the experiment, while it was relatively dominating in the PP/PA6/Boron sesquioxide composite. Tensile strength was found to be somewhat lower in blend and composite compared to virgin PP, whereas hardness was found to be higher in both blend and composite. The composite’s tribological testing findings were fairly outstanding, with the coefficient of friction (COF) and wear rates significantly reduced due to boron sesquioxide reinforcement. The reaction between boron sesquioxide and water molecules produced boric acid, which increased the tribological characteristics of the composite even further. Following 30 days of water conditioning, the weight of the blend increased by 3.64% and the weight of the composite increased by 6.45% as compared to the dry materials. After water conditioning, tensile strength reduced by 0.8% for the blend and 14.16% for the composite. Hardness was determined to be the same in the dry state and after water-conditioning for blend but dropped 1% for composite. As compared to blend, the COF and wear resistance of composite were 15.52% and 25.16% higher, respectively. After absorbing some water, the results increased to 28.57% and 34.9%, respectively.

The mechanical and thermal behaviour of polymer composites (particularly polyamide composites) vary depending on the surrounding environment. Tests were carried out to explore the effect of water treatment on the tribo-mechanical and thermal characteristics of PP/PA6/Boron sesquioxide composite. Water treatment caused polyamides to bind with water molecules, resulting in voids in the material. The interaction between boron sesquioxide and water molecules produced boric acid, which increased the tribological characteristics of the composite.

The purpose of this study is to prepare a state-of-the-art review on advanced ceramic materials including their fabrication techniques, characteristics, applications and wettability.

This review paper presents the various types of advanced ceramic materials according to their compounding elements, fabrication techniques of advanced ceramic powders as well as their consolidation, their characteristics, applications and wetting properties. Hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties of advanced ceramic materials are described in the paper with their state-of-the-art application areas. Optical properties of fine ceramics with their intrinsic characteristics are also presented within. Special focus is given to the brief description of application-based manipulation of wetting properties of advanced ceramics in the paper.

The study of wetting/hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of ceramic materials is important by which it can be further modified to achieve the required applications. It also makes some sense that the material should be tested for its wetting properties when it is going to be used in some important applications like biomedical and dental. Also, these advanced ceramics are now often used in the fabrication of filters and membranes to purify liquid/water so the study of wetting characteristics of these materials becomes essential. The optical properties of advanced ceramics are equally making them suitable for many state-of-the-art applications. Dental, medical, imaging and electronics are the few sectors that use advanced ceramics for their optical properties.

This review paper includes various advanced ceramic materials according to their compounding elements, different fabrication techniques of powders and their consolidation, their characteristics, various application area and hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties.

The purpose of this study is to address the growing issue of microplastic contamination, particularly in freshwater bodies, and to summarize recent research on this topic. This study aims to discuss the origins, distribution and occurrence of microplastics, as well as the methods used for their extraction and characterization, with a special focus on India due to its significant population and highly contaminated water bodies.

The approach of this study involves a comprehensive review of publications from recent years that focus on microplastic contamination in freshwater systems. The review includes an analysis of the sources of microplastics, their distribution and occurrence in freshwater environments and the techniques used for sampling and characterizing these pollutants. Also, one experiment was carried out to understand the hygroscopic behavior of polyamides; in which one circular disc of polyamide (PA6) was dipped into a freshwater container for 12 months.

The findings highlight the widespread presence of microplastics in freshwater bodies worldwide, emphasizing the severe threat they pose to living species. This study also identifies India as a critical area of concern due to its large population and heavily polluted freshwater bodies. In addition, the impact of microplastic pollution on aquatic creatures and other living organisms is briefly discussed. The results of the experiment demonstrated how hydrophilic and hygroscopic polymers can be converted into microparticles, which subsequently spread into water bodies and contribute to pollution.

This study provides a valuable synthesis of the current state of research on microplastic contamination in freshwater systems, offering insights into the origins and distribution of these pollutants. It also underscores the significance of addressing microplastic pollution in India, thereby contributing to the global understanding of the issue and informing future research and policy initiatives.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate cutting-edge coagulant materials and procedures for the removal of harmful microplastics from the water.

Traditional methods of removing microplastics from water bodies, like filtration, face limitations due to the small sizes involved. Hence, coagulation and flocculation emerge as essential strategies to enhance filtration efficacy. This paper summarizes recent research on coagulant materials, including novel hybrids, for water purification. It also looks at the most recent improvements in coagulation and flocculation processes, as well as the factors that influence their efficiency.

This paper highlights recent research on coagulant materials, including novel hybrids, used in water purification. It also examines the most recent advancements in coagulation and flocculation procedures, as well as the elements influencing their effectiveness.

The environmental threat posed by plastics, especially in their non-naturally degradable forms, such as microplastics, has reached alarming proportions. These minute particles pervade our air, soil and water bodies, driven by various factors and sources. Their diminutive size, whether in micro or nano form, renders them ingestible by marine and freshwater organisms, as well as humans, posing significant health risks. Traditional methods of water cleaning are not effective in dealing with very small-sized plastics and hence this paper summarizes recent research on coagulant materials, including various novel hybrids, for water purification from tiny microplastics in detail.

This study aims to explore the synthesis, characteristics and utilization of polymer composites integrated with cutting-edge pigments.

The incorporation of advanced pigments introduces functionalities such as enhanced mechanical strength, thermal stability, ultraviolet resistance and color stability, thus extending the range of applications in diverse fields including automotive, aerospace, electronics and construction.

This review discusses the mechanisms underlying the property enhancements achieved through the incorporation of advanced pigments and highlights recent developments in the field.

Polymer composites incorporating advanced pigments have garnered significant attention in recent years because of their potential to enhance various material properties and broaden their applications. This paper explores the fabrication methods of polymer composites reinforced with organic/inorganic advanced pigments in brief along with their characteristics and applications.