This review is focused on the recent developments of nanocomposite materials that combine a thermoplastic matrix with different forms of graphene or graphene oxide nanofillers. In all cases, the manufacturing method of the composite materials has been melt-processing, in particular, twin-screw extrusion, which can then be followed by injection molding. The advantages of this processing route with respect to other alternative methods will be highlighted. The results point to an increasing interest in biodegradable matrices such as polylactic acid (PLA) and graphene oxide or reduced graphene oxide, rather than graphene. The reasons for this will also be discussed.

The biosorption of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions byOpuntiacladodes and ectodermis from cactus fruits was investigated. Both types of biomass are considered low-cost, natural, and ecofriendly biosorbents. Batch experiments were carried out to determine Cr(VI) biosorption capacity and the efficiency of the biosorption process under different pH, initial Cr(VI) concentration, and sorbent dosage. The biosorption of Cr(VI) byOpuntiabiomass was highly pH dependent, favoring higher metal uptake at low pH. The higher biosorption capacity was exhibited at pH 2. The optimal conditions were obtained at a sorbent dosage of 1 g L⁻¹and initial metal concentration of 10 mg L⁻¹. Biosorption kinetic data were properly fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The rate constant, the initial biosorption rate, and the equilibrium biosorption capacity were determined. The experimental equilibrium data obtained were analyzed using two-parameter isotherm models (Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin). The Langmuir maximum monolayer biosorption capacity (qmax) was 18.5 mg g⁻¹for cladodes and 16.4 mg g⁻¹for ectodermis. The results suggest thatOpuntiabiomass could be considered a promising low-cost biosorbent for the ecofriendly removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous systems.

The present overview will focus on the tribological applications of what we have called ionanocarbon lubricants, that is, the combination of carbon nanophases (graphene, carbon nanotubes, nanodiamonds, carbon nanodots) and room-temperature ionic liquids in new dispersions, blends, or modified nanostructures and their use in tribology, lubrication, and surface engineering as friction-reducing, antiwear, and surface-protecting agents in thin films and composite materials. Further research lines and factors that limit the practical applications of the outstanding research results are also highlighted. The very recent results in these lines of research make this a necessary brief review.

Polylactic acid (PLA)-based nanocomposites were prepared by twin-screw extrusion. Graphene oxide (GO) and an ionic liquid (IL) were used as additives separately and simultaneously. The characterization of the samples was carried out by means of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The viscoelastic behavior was determined using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and rheological measurements. IL acted as internal lubricant increasing the mobility of PLA chains in the solid and rubbery states; however, the effect was less dominant when the composites were melted. When GO and IL were included, the viscosity of the nanocomposites at high temperatures presented a quasi-Newtonian behavior and, therefore, the processability of PLA was highly improved.