The impact of dumping plastic waste is realized in different ecosystems of the planet. Several methods have been adopted to dispose of these wastes for energy recovery. This study, for the first time, proposed the Box–Behnken design technique to optimize the pyrolysis process parameters for fuel oil production from waste polypropylene (PP) grocery bags using a semibatch-type pyrolytic reactor. The semibatch-type pyrolytic reactor was developed and employed to produce fuel oil from waste PP grocery bags. The effect of different process parameters on fuel oil production was comprehensively analyzed using the response surface methodology (RSM) with the conjunction of the Box–Behnken design (BBD). The BBD facilitates the prediction of the response variables with respect to changes in the input variables by developing a response model. The BBD was used to optimize the process parameters, such as the reaction temperature (400–550 °C), nitrogen flow rate (5–20 mL min⁻¹), and substrate feed rate (0.25–1.5 kg h⁻¹), and their effect on the responses were observed. The optimum response yields of the fuel oil (89.34 %), solid residue (2.74%), and gas yield (7.92%) were obtained with an optimized temperature (481 °C), a nitrogen flow rate (13 mL min⁻¹), and a feed rate (0.61 kg h⁻¹). The quadratic model obtained for the fuel oil response denotes the greater R² value (0.99). The specific gravity and calorific value of the fuel oil were found to be 0.787 and 45.42 MJ kg⁻¹, respectively. The fuel oil had higher research octane number (RON) (100.0 min) and motor octane number (MON) (85.1 min) values. These characteristics of the fuel oil were matched with conventional petroleum fuels. Further, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) were used to analyze the fuel oil, and the results revealed that the fuel oil was enriched with different hydrocarbons, namely, alkane (paraffins) and alkene (olefins), in the carbon range of C₄–C₂₀. These results, and also the fractional distillation of the fuel oil, show the presence of petroleum-range hydrocarbons in the waste PP fuel oil.

The shift towards sustainable agriculture is vital for addressing pressing global issues, including food security, environmental harm and resource depletion. Materials derived from biomass present an innovative pathway to sustainability by leveraging renewable, biodegradable and cost-effective resources to boost agricultural output while reducing ecological impact. This review examines the wide-ranging potential of biomass-based materials, emphasising their roles in enhancing soil health, increasing crop yields and promoting integrated waste management. It also highlights recent progress in developing biochar, biopolymers and fertilisers, showcasing their roles in improving nutrient recycling, supporting carbon sequestration and decreasing reliance on synthetic agricultural inputs. Furthermore, the paper explores the contributions of advanced technologies such as pyrolysis and anaerobic digestion in maximising the efficient use of biomass. The review addresses obstacles like scalability, cost considerations and environmental challenges while offering policy recommendations and identifying key areas for future research. Ultimately, this comprehensive analysis underscores the significant impact of biomass-derived materials in driving sustainable agricultural practices and advancing a circular economy.

Petroleum-derived products have long been used as raw materials for synthesizing polymers. The diminished petroleum reserves and growing environmental consciousness have prompted a shift toward sustainable alternatives. Biodegradable organic materials derived from agricultural biomass, offer a promising pathway to produce eco-efficient polymers. Cellulose transformation into carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is a focal point, as CMC's water solubility and polymeric characteristics facilitate diverse applications, particularly in energy storage systems. This research aims to study the variations in chemical treatments on biomass, focusing on sugarcane bagasse as a case study. Chemical and steam explosion pretreatments were applied to the bagasse, leading to enhanced cellulose recovery, with cellulose content increasing from 52.7% to 65.4%, and overall yield improving from 35.3% to 49.1%. SEM and FT-IR analyses revealed significant structural changes. In contrast, XRD analysis indicated a rise in the crystallinity index from 34.8% in untreated bagasse to 70.5% in treated samples, with a reduction in crystallite size. The synthesis of CMC demonstrated a peak degree of substitution (DS) of 0.82 using 25% NaOH, resulting in CMC with improved solubility and flexibility. CMC films prepared with different binding agents, such as glycerol, demonstrated optimal flexibility, conductivity, and mechanical strength, making them suitable for polymer electrolyte applications. Analysis of CMC polymer films highlighted glycerol (15 wt%) as the most effective binding agent, enhancing the film's fold endurance and flexibility. These findings underscore the potential of biomass-derived polymer membranes to replace petroleum-based materials and contribute to sustainable development.

This study aims to investigate the feasibility of hydrothermal pretreatment of cumbu napier grass for biochemical methane production. The hydrothermal pretreatment of the cumbu napier grass was carried out with 10 % total solids loading rate at various pressures (1, 5 and 10 bar) to disrupt the lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose bonding. The hydrothermal pretreated cumbu napier grass is mixed with cow dung at different ratios, such as (1:0, 3:1, 1:1 and 1:3). The study evaluates the hydrothermal pretreatment effectiveness of cumbu napier grass treated at 10 bar and mixed with an equal ratio of cow dung, resulting in the highest biogas yield of 18.64 L/kg with 44 to 56 % methane content. Also, this pretreatment condition confirmed high total solids (66.00 %), cellulose (79.64 %), hemicellulose (67.20 %) and lignin (56.40 %) destruction efficiency. Additionally, the FT-IR analysis and SEM analysis results indicated structural modification in the pretreated biomass, in turn enhancing the biodigestibility and confirmed the best approach to convert waste to energy in a sustainable way with a 3-year payback for a 1000 kg/day biodigester.

Nano fertilizer has emerged as a promising innovation in modern agriculture, the traditional methods of crop nutrition. This review explores the significance of crop nutrition in the context of nanotechnology applications in agriculture. It delves into the importance of nano fertilizers, highlighting their distinct advantages over conventional counterparts. The discussion encompasses various sources of nano fertilizers for crop nutrition, elucidating their modes of action and efficiency compared to commercial soil-applied fertilizers. Furthermore, this article provides a comprehensive analysis of the effects of nano fertilizers on the growth and yield components and yield of different agricultural crop plants. Through a comparative study, it evaluates the dosage requirements and agronomic use efficiency of nano fertilizers, shedding light on their potential to enhance crop productivity while minimizing environmental impact. Moreover, the limitations and challenges associated with nano fertilizers are critically examined, offering insights into future research directions and practical implications. By synthesizing existing literature and empirical evidence, this review aims to provide a holistic understanding of nano fertilization in modern agriculture, paving the way for sustainable and efficient crop production practices.

This study aimed to develop a pilot-scale bioreactor for ethanol production from syngas produced from biomass gasification and evaluate its performance. Gasification of characterized feedstock, namely Casuarina wood and coconut shell, is performed in a 2 kg hr-1 downdraft gasifier and the produced gas is cooled in a heat exchanger and scrubbed in a scrubbing bed to produce syngas free of moisture, tar and particulates. The syngas are fermented to produce biofuels in a 5 L capacity bioreactor with Clostridium acetobutylicum strains. The percentage yield of acetone, butanol and ethanol was verified with the standard concentration and found to be 12%, 5% and 7% from casuarina wood and 13%, 7% and 6% from coconut shell respectively. The syngas components viz., carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H), are fermented to produce acetone, butanol and ethanol along with larger proportions of acids. These acids can be converted into bio-alcohol if the fermentation period or gas-liquid transfer is enhanced. The pretreatment of feedstock is not required in syngas fermentation as it is a major process in conventional bio-alcohol production methods. This pays a way to superior technology in terms of cost and time.