Effective adsorption of cadmium and lead using SO3H-functionalized Zr-MOFs in aqueous medium.

Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) from industrial wastewater can bioaccumulate in the living organisms of water bodies, posing serious threats to human health. Therefore, efficient remediation of heavy metal ions of Cd (II) and Pb (II) in aqueous media is necessary for public health and environmental sustainability. In the present study, water stable Zirconium (Zr) based metal organic frameworks (MOFs) with SO3H functionalization were synthesized by solvothermal method and used first time for the adsorption of Cd (II) and Pb (II). Synthesis of UiO-66-SO3H, nano-sized (<100 nm) MOFs, was confirmed by FTIR, XRD, FESEM and BET. Effects of contact time, pH and temperature were investigated for adsorption of Cd (II) and Pb (II) onto SO3H-functionalized Zr-MOFs. The UiO-66-SO3H displayed notable rejections of 97% and 88% towards Cd (II) and Pb (II), respectively, after 160 min at 25 °C and pH (6) with an initial concentration of 1000 mg/L. Adsorption capacities of Cd (II) and Pb (II) were achieved as 194.9154 (mg/g) and 176.6879 (mg/g), respectively, at an initial concentration of 1000 mg/L. The Pseudo second-order kinetic model fitted well with linear regression (R2) of value 1. The mechanism was confirmed mainly as a chemisorption and coordination interaction between sulfone group (-SO3H) and metal ions Cd (IIa) and Pb (II). These results may support effective adsorption and can be studied further to enrich and recycle other heavy metals from wastewater.

Wind speed pattern data and wind energy potential in Pakistan: current status, challenging platforms and innovative prospects.

Energy is an essential parameter for the economic growth and sustainable development of any country. Due to the rapid increase in energy demand, depletion of fossil fuels and environmental concerns, many developing and developed countries are moving towards alternative renewable resources such as solar energy, wind energy and biomass. Wind energy as a renewable energy source is gaining a lot of significant attention. Wind energy is a sustainable solution to produce energy having potential benefits such as clean source, reduced toxic gases emission and environmental friendly protocol for operation. Pakistan is among the top countries facing the worst energy crisis due to different political and financial issues. Pakistan is blessed with a huge potential of wind energy having all the basic requirements such as windy regions and good wind speed for harnessing energy. Pakistan can utilize the potential of wind energy to reduce the problem of energy outrage in the country and also take steps towards green economy from conventional fuel economy. This critical review highlights the current status, potential and the steps taken in the past and present to overcome the energy shortage in Pakistan by employing wind energy. Outlook on wind speed data, deployment of wind energy, environmental effect of wind energy and its barriers in the adoption are discussed with recommendations and suggestions to utilize this clean energy in an effective way. Graphical abstract.

A forecasting model approach of sustainable electricity management by developing adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system.

With an exponential industrial growth, an accurate demand forecasting of energy is of prime importance for strategic decision-making and new power policies regarding generation and distribution in the power sector. This is a great impediment in economic development as well as shattering people's daily life. Hence, forecasting of energy demand in emerging markets is one of the most important policy tool used by decision-makers all over the world. This study focused on the forecasting approach of electricity consumption in Pakistan by developing a model that is called ANFIS (Adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system). A framework was developed comprising economic and demographic variables as input. Previous historical data of GDP, population, industry efficiency, and weather (annual average temperature) was collected as input to the model and electricity consumption as output of the model. By developing ANFIS model, forecasting was done up to 2045. The increasing trends with respect to predictors showed significant association with electricity consumption. The overall least error proved this model best for forecasting and planning electricity demand to achieve sustainability in the power sector.

Promoting sustainability of use of biomass as energy resource: Pakistan's perspective.

Biomass is primary source of energy for household in rural communities. Developing countries are focusing on increasing utilization of indigenous energy resources for energy security and to achieve sustainable development goal. Combustion of solid biomass is the primary approach for utilizing biomass to generate electricity and heat. Sixty-eight percent of population of Pakistan is living in rural areas while 30% population is still without electricity. The traditional household appliances used for cooking and heating are less efficient, more hazardous to users, and more damaging to the environment. Low carbon energy system prerequisites access to modern energy services. This paper presents an assessment of biomass resources potential in Pakistan as renewable energy resources and reviews potentials to adopt efficient use of biomass for cooking, heating, and small decentralized electricity generation. Objective of this study is to increase the sustainability of the use of biomass as source of energy in developing countries like Pakistan by an integrating energy-efficient and modern appliances and technologies that fit into a sustainable development path. Promotion of cleaner technologies and efficient use of biomass energy constitute appropriate strategies to mitigate global climate, health risks, and help in attending the targets set by sustainable development goal (SDG) to confirm worldwide access to reliable, affordable, and modern energy services by 2030.