Multilayer graphene–paraffin composites with different contents of graphene (0–10 wt.%) were prepared using an ultra-high shear mixer. The aim is to improve the heat transfer in paraffin wax, which will lead to more-efficient thermal buffering in electronic applications. The multi-layer graphenes obtained by supercritical fluid exfoliation of graphite in alcohol were investigated by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Interesting morphological features were found to be related to the intercalation of paraffins between the multilayer graphene flakes. Thermal properties were also investigated in terms of phase change transition temperatures, latent heat by differential scanning calorimetry and thermal conductivity. It was found that the addition of graphene resulted in a slight decrease in energy storage capacity but a 150% improvement in thermal conductivity at the highest graphene loading level. This phase-change material is then used as a thermal heat sink for an embedded electronic processor. The temperature of the processor during the execution of a pre-defined programme was used as a performance indicator. The use of materials with multilayer graphene contents of more than 5 wt.% was found to reduce the processor operating temperature by up to 20%. This indicates that the use of such composite materials can significantly improve the performance of processors.

The environmental problems and solutions represent a priority for scientific community. Water pollution with drugs is a contemporary problem, which needs to be made aware of and solved by ecological means. Also, ecofriendly methods of decontamination of polluted waters are a topic of study for students from natural sciences. The present work proposes an eco-friendly method of filtering drug-polluted water, which can be used in students' experimental laboratories related to environmental protection. This paper presents the use of clay, micronized activated zeolite and granular activated carbon as filters for the removal of drugs from wastewater. Using the UV-VIS spectroscopy technique, the degree of decontamination of water polluted with N-Acetyl cysteine is evaluated. The combination of the three filter materials is the most efficient one having the greatest absorbance capacity of 71%. Students using these methods, besides better understanding the chemical and physical notions related to the experiment, will also learn about sustainability and environmental protection.