Graphene/noble metal substrates for surface enhanced RAMAN scattering (SERS) possess synergistically improved performance, due to the strong chemical enhancement mechanism accounted to graphene and the electromagnetic mechanism raised from the metal nanoparticles. However, only the effect of noble metal nanoparticles characteristics on the SERS performance was studied so far. In attempts to bring a light to the effect of quality of graphene, in this work, two different graphene oxides were selected, slightly oxidized GOS (20%) with low aspect ratio (1000) and highly oxidized (50%) GOG with high aspect ratio (14,000). GO and precursors for noble metal nanoparticles (NP) simultaneous were reduced, resulting in rGO decorated with AgNPs and AuNPs. The graphene characteristics affected the size, shape, and packing of nanoparticles. The oxygen functionalities actuated as nucleation sites for AgNPs, thus GOG was decorated with higher number and smaller size AgNPs than GOS. Oppositely, AuNPs preferred bare graphene surface, thus GOS was covered with smaller size, densely packed nanoparticles, resulting in the best SERS performance. Fluorescein in concentration of 10⁻⁷ M was detected with enhancement factor of 82 × 10⁴. This work demonstrates that selection of graphene is additional tool toward powerful SERS substrates.

This work reports the fabrication and optimization of nylon/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposite-based triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) using a spin coating method. By carefully tuning the MWCNT concentration, the device achieved a substantial enhancement in electrical output, with open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current peaking at 29.7 V and 3.0 μA, respectively, at 0.05 wt% MWCNT loading on the surface of nylon. The corresponding power density reached approximately 13.9 mW/m², representing a significant improvement over pure nylon-based TENGs. The enhanced performance is attributed to improved charge trapping and dielectric properties due to well-dispersed MWCNTs on the surface of nylon, while excessive loading caused agglomeration, reducing efficiency. This lightweight, flexible nanocomposite TENG offers a promising solution for efficient, sustainable energy harvesting in wearable electronics and self-powered sensor systems, highlighting its potential for practical energy applications.

This paper examines Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Management with a high organic matter content employing the Waste and Resource Assessment Tool for the Environment (WRATE) and the Ecoinvent database, by conducting a Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA). Four scenarios, aligned with Algeria’s National Waste Management Strategy, are analyzed as case studies. LCA results identify the baseline scenario (current state) as the worst case. Significant improvements (84% reduction in climate change impact) are observed for scenario 2 to 4, which incorporate methane capture and energy recovery. Likewise, acidification potential was reduced, while eutrophication balanced positively for scenario 1 to 3 and negatively for scenario 4, promoting sustainable practices. This study proposes an optimal solution where the MSW service covers the charges and starts generating profit by shifting from a flat rate of 2000 Algerian Dinars (DZD) per household per year to 1% of household income. This change aims for at least 41% cost recovery from citizens at the national level, with minimum recovery targets for composting (50%), recycling (25%), and efficient landfilling (15%), alongside 20% energy recovery. To align with the Waste Hierarchy priorities, the Algerian government should gradually restrict organic waste landfilling (54% of MSW) and promote composting. Additionally, Algeria should establish regulations to encourage recycling programs, such as implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations and setting recycling targets for various waste streams.

Both the electrical conductivity and tailored mechanical characteristics—showing flexibility and structural integrity—are key properties of polymer composites. In this work, a novel, simple, and water-based strategy for synthesizing rGO-MWCNT/polymer composites was developed. Namely, carbon nanofillers in a mixture of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were incorporated in a waterborne methacrylic polymer matrix at loadings of 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 wt.% nanofiller, and with rGO-to-MWCNT ratios of 10:1, 1:1, and 1:10 (w/w) at room temperature. Electrically conductive composites were obtained with all tested filler rates showing the highest conductivity (up to 8.2 × 10⁻³ Sm⁻¹) for the MWCNT-rich filler due to the formation of a segregated network of the filler in the matrix. The mechanical properties of the composites—characterized by their Young’s modulus and elongation at break—strongly depended on both the filler incorporation rate and the rGO:MWCNT ratio. For instance, soft and flexible composites were obtained by incorporating 0.25 wt.% of the MWCNT-rich filler, which increased the elongation at break from 154.2% (neat polymer) to 252.4%. Overall, this study emphasizes the sensitive interplay between carbon filler introduction incorporating conductivity and the fillers’ impact on the mechanical properties of a polymer composite, both necessitating careful optimization for applications, e.g., in flexible electronics.

Improving the sustainability of polymer composites is a pressing priority, particularly in reducing reliance on fossil-derived components and minimizing environmental impact during synthesis. Lignin, an abundant and renewable natural polymer, offers significant potential as a bio-based additive due to its aromatic structure and intrinsic functionality. Conventional methods for incorporating lignin into polymer matrices often rely on non-sustainable, solvent-based routes, leading to poor dispersion and aggregate formation due to lignin’s incompatibility with polymers. This study presents a more sustainable approach using waterborne, in-situ semicontinuous miniemulsion polymerization to integrate lignin (0.5–1 wt%) into (meth)acrylic matrices. The resulting composite films, formed via water evaporation, exhibited enhanced UV and visible light absorption, improved mechanical strength, particularly at 1 wt% lignin and increased thermal stability even at low loadings. Despite lignin’s hydrophilicity, the composites demonstrated reduced water permeability. UV degradation studies showed that lignin’s chromophoric groups generate free radicals under UV exposure, triggering controlled photodegradation of both lignin and polymer phases. This controlled breakdown combined with the composite’s enhanced structural integrity highlights lignin’s dual function: reinforcing the material under standard conditions while enabling degradation under specific environmental stimuli.