The photovoltaic panel is one of the most promising advancements when it comes to sustaining energy. However, being exposed to extreme and harmful atmospheric conditions can decrease its efficient transmittance. Therefore, an anti-reflective coating is added to a PV panel to provide different promising properties for the PV panel. It is used to reduce the reflection of light for more efficient transmittance. It can also possess several properties like hydrophobic self-cleaning and abrasion resistance when further modified. With these properties, PV panels become more effective and maintain their high transmission for a long time. Different materials are used in fabricating ARCs, but this review focused on silica due to its low refractive index of 1.52 using the dip-coating fabrication technique. This review focused on introducing additives such as CTAB, PMHS, and PDMS and their effects on the hydrophobicity and abrasion resistance of ARCs. Moreover, studies gathered for each additive were analyzed and compared to determine the advantages and disadvantages of each additive. Insights and perspectives were also given by focusing on the factors affecting the hydrophobicity and abrasion resistance of ARCs which may help future researchers to fabricate more efficient ARCs.

Polymers that are low-cost, lightweight, durable, and eco-friendly can be considered as one of the aims of recent research studies to solve environmental problems, especially those caused by the abundance of plastic wastes. The notable mechanical properties of such polymers could be achieved with reinforcements such as using natural fibers like hemp, sisal, wood-fiber, jute, and the focus of the study, rice husk. Using high-density polyethylene (HDPE) as the matrix, the addition of rice husk fillers was able to improve the mechanical properties of the polymer composites. However, the microstructure of the composite seems to be uneven, and voids could be observed. This must be due to disturbances or inhomogeneity in the interfacial dispersion of the filler (rice husk) and the matrix (polyethylene). This paper aims to introduce a poly (ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA) compatibilizer that can help provide stronger interfacial dispersion between the filler and matrix to improve the mechanical properties and morphology of the composite. It also offers a broader perspective regarding the possible component combinations and ratios in fabricating polyethylene which may, later on, lead to the manufacture of more efficient polyethylene-based products.

The emergence of COVID-19 raised awareness in hygiene practices and reminded us of the harm that microbes bring to our health. Incorporating antibacterial agents in polymeric materials would allow us to combat lingering bacteria on surfaces that we often use. The utilization of composite filaments with antibacterial activity would allow us to employ better precautions in reducing contact with harmful bacteria. Antibacterial acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) nanocomposites were prepared by incorporating silver zirconium phosphate (AgZrP) nanoparticles via twin screw extruder. The ABS/AgZrP nanocomposite filament with 5 wt % and 20 wt% of AgZrP were synthesized and characterized with Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). DSC and XRD data denote an increase in the presence of crystalline regions as the AgZrP content is increased. TGA data indicate that the addition of AgZrP has no effect on the thermal stability of the material. FTIR data indicate a decrease in transmission at higher AgZrP loading. The decreasing trend in tensile properties of the 3D-printed neat and AgZrP-filled ABS may have been due to particle agglomeration acting as stress concentrators. Antibacterial activity assessment via disk diffusion test showed a zone of inhibition within the sample indicating that there is no bacterial growth both for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.