Blend copolymers (PVA/S) were grafted with polyethylene glycol methyl methacrylate (PEGMA) with different ratios. Potassium persulfate was used as an initiator. The blend copolymer (PVA/S) was created by combining poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with starch (S) in various ratios. The main idea was to study the effect of different ratios of the used raw materials on the biodegradability of plastic films. The resulting polymers (PVA/S/PEGMA) were analyzed using FTIR spectroscopy to investigate the hydrogen bond interaction between PVA, S, and PEGMA in the mixtures. TGA and SEM analyses were used to characterize the polymers (PVA/S/AA). The biodegradability and mechanical properties of the PVA/S/PEGMA blend films were evaluated. The findings revealed that the mechanical properties of the blend films are highly influenced by PEGMA. The time of degradation of the films immersed in soil and Coca-Cola increases as the contents of PVA and S and the molecular weight (MW) of PEGMA increase in the terpolymer. The M8 sample (PVA/S/PEGMA in the ratio of 3:1:2, respectively) with a MW of 950 g/mol produced the lowest elongation at break (67.5%), whereas M1 (PVA/S/PEGMA in the ratio of 1:1:1, respectively) with a MW of 300 g/mol produced the most (150%). The film’s tensile strength and elongation at break were improved by grafting PEGMA onto the blending polymer (PAV-b-S). T_g and T_m increased when the PEGMA MW increased from 300 to 950. T_g (48.4 °C) and T_m (190.9 °C) were the lowest in M1 (300), while T_g (84.8 °C) and T_m (190.9 °C) were greatest in M1 (950) at 209.3 °C. The increased chain and molecular weight of PEGMA account for the increase in T_g and T_m of the copolymers.

A polyethylene (PE)/starch copolymer was prepared by a grafting technique in the presence of benzoyl peroxide as a catalyst and xylene as a solvent. The ratio of PE grafted onto starch was in ratio 1:5, respectively. The obtained grafted copolymer was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The obtained grafted copolymer was mixed with rice and wheat straw as well as calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) as a filler to form biodegradable films. Various analyses such as viscosity, tensile strength, elongation at break, water contact angle, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and solubility tests have been used to study the properties of biodegradable films in water and soil. CaCO₃ and rice and wheat straws improved the biodegradability of the grafted copolymer. The presence of CaCO₃ in the presence of rice and wheat straws increased the viscosity, tensile strength, thermal stability, and weight loss of the film in the soil. While elongation at break, the water contact angle and solubility in water decreased. According to the study, samples that were between 380°C and 400°C showed the highest polymer breakdown values and adding CaCO₃ resulted in the lowest water contact angle.

Steam methane reforming (SMR) remains the dominant industrial route for large-scale hydrogen production due to its technological maturity and economic competitiveness. However, conventional SMR is associated with significant carbon dioxide emissions, limiting its sustainability in the context of global decarbonization goals. This study presents a comprehensive process modeling and analysis of hydrogen production via SMR integrated with the water–gas shift reaction (WGSR) and post-combustion CO₂ capture. A detailed steady-state model was developed using Aspen HYSYS to evaluate mass and energy balances, hydrogen yield, and purification performance. The modeled process reflects an industrially relevant SMR–WGSR configuration and is assessed in the context of blue hydrogen production. In addition, a location-based feasibility analysis is conducted for Kazakhstan, identifying the Atyrau region as a favorable deployment site due to existing natural gas infrastructure and industrial integration potential. The results demonstrate high hydrogen purity (>97%) and confirm that integration of CO₂ capture significantly reduces carbon intensity while preserving process efficiency, supporting SMR with carbon capture as a viable transitional hydrogen technology. Keywords: Steam methane reforming; Hydrogen production; Water–gas shift; Blue hydrogen; Aspen HYSYS; Carbon capture

This study presents a methodology for the fabrication and investigation of the electrical capacitance properties of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2)-based nanopowders doped with 3 mol.% yttrium oxide (Y2O3). The main focus is on the creation of dense compacts using high hydrostatic pressure up to 500 MPa, as well as the optimization of the technique for applying electrical contacts to ensure measurement stability. The experimental section describes a setup that enables the recording of discharge characteristics of the samples in a temperature range from 30 to 400 °C. The article provides data on the dependence of capacitance on circuit resistance and applied voltage, as well as the influence of thermal treatment – specifically annealing at 400 °C and 500 °C – on structural and capacitive parameters. It is demonstrated that under optimal conditions – namely, a voltage of 10 V, a resistance of 10 kΩ, and air humidity of 50% – a maximum capacitance of up to 1256.948 µF is achieved. The study also shows that increasing the annealing temperature improves the capacitive properties, which is attributed to changes in the material’s microstructure. The presented results highlight the potential of YSZ nanopowders in developing solid-state nanoionic energy storage devices with high energy density, making them promising candidates for use in energy storage systems and microelectronics.

Oil spill cleanup is one of the major environmental issues facing the world today; this problem is often compounded by the delayed response of emergency teams in the supply of sorbents for cleanup operations. Although sorption is considered the preferred method of cleanup, its success is often hindered by the centralized production of synthetic sorbents. In this paper, we report on the development of a mobile manufacturing container to produce polyurethane-based oil sorbents. The system has been optimized for the entire production process of polyurethane-based sorbents through the precise measurement of polyether polyol, isocyanate, and water ratios in the mixture to produce an open-cell foam with a density of 16 kg/m³ and a special pore structure in which 80% of the pores are less than 50 μm in diameter. From the experimental results obtained using this sorbent, it was evident that it was capable of fully absorbing 100 mL of crude oil on the surface of water within 10 minutes; in addition, this sorbent was able to maintain its high performance after 5-10 cycles of mechanical regeneration. The transition from a centralized production system to one of decentralized production of sorbents for cleanup operations is a major step towards solving the problems of delayed response in cleanup operations.

TiO₂ nanosheet electrodes were successfully fabricated on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates via a hydrothermal method using a TiCl₄–HCl–NH₄F system. The obtained hierarchical nanosheet morphology provides a high surface area and abundant active sites, which are favorable for electrochemical and photoelectrochemical processes. The electrochemical performance of the TiO₂ electrodes was investigated for both detection and reduction of hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)), a highly toxic and hazardous pollutant in water systems. Cyclic voltammetry revealed enhanced cathodic currents and the appearance of a reduction peak in the presence of Cr (VI), confirming its electrochemical reduction. Chronoamperometric measurements demonstrated a rapid and concentration-dependent current response, with a linear detection range of 0.01–0.8 mM and a sensitivity of 0.213 mA·mM⁻¹, and a limit of detection (LOD) of approximately 0.003 µM. Under UV illumination, a decrease in photocurrent was observed after the addition of Cr (VI), indicating the consumption of photogenerated electrons in the photoelectrochemical reduction process. This behavior confirms that Cr (VI) acts as an efficient electron acceptor, undergoing reduction to less toxic Cr (III). The combined electrochemical and photoelectrochemical results demonstrate that TiO₂ nanosheet electrodes can serve as multifunctional platforms for simultaneous detection and detoxification of Cr (VI). This work highlights the potential of TiO₂-based systems for sustainable water purification and environmental remediation, contributing to the development of clean water technologies. Keywords: TiO₂ nanosheets, photoelectrochemical reduction, Cr (VI); electrochemical detection, water purification.