BACKGROUND: Diesel mainly consists of paraffin and thio-aromatic compounds. Sulfur present in diesel exhaust is the major challenge for oil refineries. Sulfur is an oxidizing element that discharges as acute pollutant in the environment which has adverse effects on human and on animal life. INTRODUCTION: The scope of this review paper is to discuss and to highlight the recent advancements in process of desulfurization of diesel oil to explore the less energy intensive and more economical process. METHOD: Recently, different techniques are widely used for desulfurization of diesel oil to remove sulfur containing compounds from diesel. These techniques mainly involve hydrodesulfurzation, oxidative desulfurization, biodesulfurization, ionic liquid desulfurization, and adsorption desulfurization. CONCLUSION: Adsorptive desulfurization technique is green, less energy incentive, and more economical technique than hydro-desulfurization, oxidative desulfurization, ionic liquid desulfurization and bio desulfurization. Optimization of adsorptive desulfurization technique may yield up to 100% desulfurization of diesel oil.

Recently, nanocomposites of polymers have attracted attention due to their advanced features compared to their complement polymer microcomposites. In this study, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) was used as a matrix; antimony trioxide (primary flame retardant) and montmorillonite organo-clay (secondary flame retardant), along with benzoflex (plasticizer), were used as fillers to examine their synergistic effect. Nanocomposites of various compositions (TPU-1 to TPU-6) were prepared via the melt-mixing method and compressed to form sheets of the desired dimensions with a compression molding hydraulic press machine. Characterization of the samples was conducted with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A tensile test was performed through a universal testing machine (UTM) which showed that the Young’s Modulus improved from 147.348 MPa for the pure sample (TPU-1) to 244.568 MPa for TPU-6. A UL-94 test was executed to observe flame retardance. The sample of interest (TPU-6) achieved V-0 classification in UL-94. All these results confirmed the synergistic effect of primary and secondary flame retardants. An optimum increase in fire resistance and mechanical strength was observed for TPU-6.

Background: Water contamination by noxious heavy metals due to urbanization is a global environmental problem. Heavy metal ions pollution make the water unsuitable for drinking and are also highly toxic to human beings and eco-system. Remediation of heavy metals is therefore very crucial. Method: Adsorbents based on biopolymer and eco-friendly polymer composites have been developed and fabricated to remediate and remove heavy metals from the ecosystem. Result: In recent years, biocomposites have been successful as cost effective adsorbents for the remediation of various contaminants with their eco-friendly nature and sustainability. Conclusion: This review article gives an overview on the remediation of heavy metals using green biocomposites.