Agro-industrial waste valorization is an attractive approach that offers new alternatives to deal with shrinkage and residue problems. One of these approaches is the synthesis of advanced carbon materials. Current research has shown that citrus waste, mainly orange peel, can be a precursor for the synthesis of high-quality carbon materials for chemical adsorption and energy storage applications. A recent approach to the utilization of advanced carbon materials based on lignocellulosic biomass is their use in solar absorber coatings for solar-thermal applications. This study focused on the production of biochar from Citrus aurantium orange peel by a pyrolysis process at different temperatures. Biochars were characterized by SEM, elemental analysis, TGA-DSC, FTIR, DRX, Raman, and XPS spectroscopies. Optical properties such as diffuse reflectance in the UV−VIS−NIR region was also determined. Physical-chemical characterization revealed that the pyrolysis temperature had a negative effect in yield of biochars, whereas biochars with a higher carbon content, aromaticity, thermal stability, and structural order were produced as the temperature increased. Diffuse reflectance measurements revealed that it is possible to reduce the reflectance of the material by controlling its pyrolysis temperature, producing a material with physicochemical and optical properties that could be attractive for use as a pigment in solar absorber coatings.

The production and mechanical properties of fiber metal laminates (FMLs) based on 3D printed composites have been investigated in this study. FMLs are structures constituting an alternating arrangement of metal and composite materials that are used in the aerospace sector due to their unique mechanical performance. 3D printing technology in FMLs could allow the production of structures with customized configuration and performance. A series of continuous carbon fiber reinforced composites were printed on a Markforged system and placed between layers of aluminum alloy to manufacture a novel breed of FMLs in this study. These laminates were subjected to tensile, low velocity and high velocity impact tests. The results show that the tensile strength of the FMLs falls between the strength of their constituent materials, while the low and high velocity impact performance of the FMLs is superior to those observed for the plain aluminum and the composite material. This mechanism is related to the energy absorption process displayed by the plastic deformation, and interfacial delamination within the laminates. The present work expects to provide an initial research platform for considering 3D printing in the manufacturing process of hybrid laminates.

Water lettuce (“Pistia stratiotes” L.) is an aquatic plant among the 100 most invasive weeds in the world. In Tabasco, this aquatic plant is very common in various bodies of water, posing a risk to aquatic habitats. Therefore, finding alternatives for its use can contribute to mitigating this risk. The objective was to assess the energy potential of “P. stratiotes” L. for its use as a renewable energy source. Samples of this plant were obtained from the water body located within the Academic Division of Biological Sciences of the UJAT (Universidad Juarez Autónoma de Tabasco). The determination of its calorific value and proximate analysis showed that water lettuce presented attractive properties for use as a fuel; however, its high moisture content is a factor that limits its thermal processing, recommending pretreatment or biological conversion for biofuel production.