Tailoring multipurpose capabilities of jute (Corchorus) with a focus on the cleaner production and “zero waste” concept

Abstract

This paper explores obtaining multipurpose jute fabrics via sodium periodate oxidation (0.2% or 0.4% NaIO₄ for 60 or 120 min) and alginate coating, emphasizing the principles of cleaner production and the “zero waste” concept. Assessment of the suitability of raw and oxidized fabrics for carpet backings was conducted based on their abrasion resistance, volume electrical resistivity, and compression resilience. Fabric quality test revealed that both fabrics oxidized for 60 min (characterized by 4.3–6.9% mass loss after 1000 abrasion cycles, resistivity of 13.2–21.6 GΩcm at 50–40% relative air humidity, and compression resilience of 24.2–25.5%) are the most suitable for producing carpet backing. A separate segment of the manuscript focuses on developing geo-prebiotic supports with high water retention by alginate coating of studied fabrics. The highest water retention (146.8%) has alginate-coated fabric oxidized with 0.4% NaIO₄ for 120 min, suggesting significant potential for supporting the growth of cyanobacteria, thereby facilitating the restoration of degraded terrains. Furthermore, the paper underscores the imperative of waste minimization, whereby waste of fabric identified as most suitable for carpet backing and geo-prebiotic supports was tested as an adsorbent for the antibiotic ciprofloxacin. To accomplish the “zero waste” concept, and to mitigate secondary pollution from ciprofloxacin-saturated adsorbents, conversion to activated carbon was pursued, enabling the exploration of new application such as charge storage devices—supercapacitors. Specific capacitance values of the resulting activated carbons ranged between 126 and 210 F/g for one electrode at a current density of 0.3 A/g.