CuO nano-whiskers: Electrodeposition,Raman analysis,photoluminescence study and photocatalytic activity

An electrochemical route to synthesize CuO thin films with nano-whiskers like structure, from a metallic Cu precursor is reported. Structural characterization showed the formation of cubic phase for both the Cu and CuO films, whereas, the grains were found to change their shapes from cubic to nano-whiskers as an effect of annealing (in air at 600 °C for 30 min). X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–vis, Photoluminescence (PL) and Raman analyses were carried out with the films. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared CuO films was determined by measuring the degradation of Rose Bengal (RB) dye, to find out its potential application in waste water treatment.     

Biochar production from microalgae cultivation through pyrolysis as a sustainable carbon sequestration and biorefinery approach

Microalgae cultivation and biomass to biochar conversion is a potential approach for global carbon sequestration in microalgal biorefinery. Excessive atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) is utilized in microalgal biomass cultivation for biochar production. In the current study, microalgal biomass productivity was determined using different CO₂ concentrations for biochar production, and the physicochemical properties of microalgal biochar were characterized to determine its potential applications for carbon sequestration and biorefinery. The indigenous microalga Chlorella vulgaris FSP-E was cultivated in photobioreactors under controlled environment with different CO₂ gas concentrations as the sole carbon source. Microalgal biomass pyrolysis was performed thereafter in a fixed-bed reactor to produce biochar and other coproducts. C. vulgaris FSP-E showed a maximum biomass productivity of 0.87 g L^?1 day^?1. A biochar yield of 26.9% was obtained from pyrolysis under an optimum temperature of 500 °C at a heating rate of 10 °C min^?1. C. vulgaris FSP-E biochar showed an alkaline pH value of 8.1 with H/C and O/C atomic ratios beneficial for carbon sequestration and soil application. The potential use of microalgal biochar as an alternative coal was also demonstrated by the increased heating value of 23.42 MJ kg^?1. C. vulgaris FSP-E biochar exhibited a surface morphology, thereby suggesting its applicability as a bio-adsorbent. The cultivation of microalgae C. vulgaris FSP-E and the production of its respective biochar is a potential approach as clean technology for carbon sequestration and microalgal biorefinery toward a sustainable environment.