Mortaza Aghbashlo

Verified

Mortaza verified their affiliation via an institutional email.

Learn more

Verified

Mortaza verified their affiliation via an institutional email.

Learn more

• Professor
• Prof at University of Tehran

Ammonia (NH3) produced from renewable sources is a promising carbon-free fuel and H2 carrier. However, photocatalytic NH3 synthesis via nitrogen reduction remains inefficient due to poor N2 activation and charge carrier recombination. These challenges can be effectively addressed through advanced data science–based modeling and optimization strateg...

The catalytic hydrogenation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) to dimethyl ether (DME) offers a promising pathway for greenhouse gas mitigation and chemical energy storage, transforming CO₂ into a storable and transportable liquid fuel. In this study, a machine learning (ML)-driven framework was developed to model, interpret, and optimize the CO₂-to-DME conve...

Lignin-driven Advanced Materials: The State-of-the-Art offers a pioneering approach to address the multifaceted challenges in the production of lignin-derived materials. This comprehensive book covers the creation of value-added products such as carbon materials, nanoparticles, energy storage materials, and bioplastics. It promotes collaboration be...

Food loss and waste (FLW) valorization remains challenging due to mixed properties and composition arising from seasonal and regional variations in food production. Here we examine the capacities of 3D printing for valorizing FLW streams, with a focus on FLW-based bioinks. We consider how waste management practices, 3D printing technology and emerg...

Growing concerns about greenhouse gas emissions have accelerated research into converting CO2 into valuable products like methanol. Catalytic hydrogenation, utilizing a catalyst in a thermochemical process, offers a promising solution for reducing atmospheric CO2 and combating climate change. However, optimizing operating conditions and selecting s...

Phase transitions are fundamental phenomena in physics that have been extensively studied owing to their applications across diverse industrial sectors, including energy, power, healthcare, and the environment. An example of such applications in the energy sector is thermal energy storage using phase change materials. In such systems, and indeed in...

Integrating renewable energy technologies into agriculture offers a promising approach to significantly reducing carbon emissions. Agriculture is inherently energy-intensive, with substantial reliance on fossil fuels for various operations, including machinery, irrigation, heating, cooling, and processing. However, these systems come with their own...

While the agricultural sector plays a profound role in food provisioning, achieving sustainability poses formidable challenges worldwide. In this context, this study projects the environmental impacts of China’s agricultural sector in the years 2030 and 2050 in line with the framework of shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) in comparison to the bas...

Rapeseed straw, a widely available waste stream typically disposed of by field burning, was utilized as a biorefinery feedstock for biofuel and mycoprotein production across three different scenarios. Scenario 1 focused on biomethane production and optimization, while scenarios 2 and 3 aimed at ethanol and mycoprotein production using, an edible as...

This study presents an innovative cascade biorefinery process that efficiently converts furfural residues (FRs) into valuable bioethanol and pyrolytic oil. Two pretreatment methods, acetic acid/glycerol (R1) and sulfuric acid/glycerol (R2), were applied to fractionate FRs biomass. Optimized pretreatment conditions increased the cellulose accessibil...

Exergy analysis, along with its extensions, plays a pivotal role in understanding and improving the efficiency and sustainability of energy systems. In the realm of renewable energy, diesel engines fueled by biodiesel have received significant attention through exergy-based analyses. This paper aims to comprehensively investigate the effects of int...

The wide application of diesel engines globally and the resulting exhaust emissions have been the driving force behind producing eco-friendly alternatives to fossil diesel. Biodiesel derived from triglycerides is a promising replacement for fossil diesel due to less contribution to greenhouse gases and other harmful emissions. Transesterification i...

E-waste, encompassing discarded materials from outdated electronic equipment, often ends up intermixed with municipal solid waste, leading to improper disposal through burial and incineration. This improper handling releases hazardous substances into water, soil, and air, posing significant risks to ecosystems and human health, ultimately entering...

Despite the exceptional performance of recyclable biphasic pretreatment systems (i.e., p-toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH)/pentanol, H2SO4/butanol, and AlCl3/MTHF) in the holistic fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass (LCB), there remains a significant gap in understanding of the intricate mechanisms governing the rapid dissolution of lignin and xylan...

Besides having adverse environmental impacts, power production from conventional sources is severely threatened by uncertainties, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and political conflicts between energy-producing nations. These uncertainties and risks highlight the unsustainability of energy security in conventional power generation systems. Hence, gre...

This study investigates using lignite waste as a carrier matrix for creating engineered nitro-humic fertilizer (NHF). The NHF is synthesized through an innovative ozone oxidation method and nitrogen enrichment. Agronomic efficiency was evaluated through maize growth responses, soil incubation experiments, and fertilizer performance, comparing NHF t...

While e-waste poses significant environmental and health risks, it also harbors valuable metals like gold, ripe for recycling. However, extracting gold from e-waste carries its own ecological footprint. Therefore, employing tools like Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate environmental impacts and identify mitigation measures is imperative. This...

Furfural is a versatile chemical building block derived from hemicellulose-rich lignocellulosic biomass. Considering the availability of various process routes and conditions, it is crucial to determine the most environmentally sustainable production routes and conditions for furfural production. This study evaluates the life cycle environmental im...

The present study is motivated by the need to address the environmental issues related to dairy and ethanol plant wastewaters and to generate valuable products, including mycoprotein and bioenergy, through a novel three-phase fungi-based biorefinery. In the initial phase of the biorefining process, the cultivation conditions of Aspergillus oryzae w...

One of the most current discussions in the transportation sector is air pollution caused by diesel engines. In fact, even with the advances in engine technologies, the combustion of diesel in internal combustion engines leads to the significant release of toxic gases into the atmosphere, such as particulate matter and nitrogen oxide, posing threats...

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a process that converts biomass into versatile hydrochar without the need for prior drying. The physicochemical properties of hydrochar are influenced by biomass properties and processing parameters, making it challenging to optimize for specific applications through trial-and-error experiments. To save time and...

Sustainable socio-economic development largely depends on the sustainability of the energy supply from economic, environmental, and public health perspectives. Fossil fuel combustion only meets the first element of this equation and is hence rendered unsustainable. Biofuels are advantageous from a public health perspective, but their environmental...

The paper focuses on developing a machine-learning model to analyze and optimize product distribution and composition in biomass-coal co-pyrolysis

The unfavorable physicochemical properties of biomass pyrolysis bio-oil make it unsuitable for use in energy/ chemical infrastructure. Various physical/thermochemical methods should be employed to enhance bio-oil quality to the desired level. Thermochemical techniques (catalytic cracking, hydrodeoxygenation, and steam reforming) can effectively enh...

Life cycle assessment was used to evaluate the environmental impacts of phytoplanktonic biofuels as possible sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. Three scenarios were examined for converting planktonic biomass into higher-value commodities and energy streams using the alga Scenedesmus sp. and the cyanobacterium Arthrospira sp. as the species o...

Chemical and biomass processing systems release volatile matter compounds into the environment daily. Catalytic reforming can convert these compounds into valuable fuels, but developing stable and efficient catalysts is challenging. Machine learning can handle complex relationships in big data and optimize reaction conditions, making it an effectiv...

Concerns about carbon emissions and global warming have mobilized the world toward decarburization through various strategies, such as using zero or low-carbon products. One of the most important current strategies in decarburization is to eliminate or reduce the use of fossil fuels as one of the world’s largest sources of carbon emissions. In line...

Global warming and climate change are critical problems threatening human health and ecosystems. Generally, fossil fuels play a key role in carbon emissions as one effective factor in global warming. Accordingly, researchers and governments have focused on many investigations in the search for low-carbon alternatives to fossil fuels. In line with t...

As the global population continues to grow, the sustainability of food production systems is increasingly critical, coupled with escalating environmental concerns. Traditional sustainability assessments primarily focus on resource consumption and waste generation, often overlooking the overall efficiency and quality of energy and matter flows withi...

This work aimed to study an integrated pretreatment technology employing p-toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH)-catalyzed liquid hot water (LHW) and short-time ball milling for the complete conversion of poplar biomass to xylooligosaccharides (XOS), glucose, and native-like lignin. The optimized TsOH-catalyzed LHW pretreatment solubilized 98.5% of hemicellu...

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a process that converts biomass into versatile hydrochar without the need for prior drying. The physicochemical properties of hydrochar are influenced by biomass properties and processing parameters, making it challenging to optimize for specific applications through trial-and-error experiments. To save time and...

Co-pyrolysis of biomass feedstocks with polymeric wastes is a promising strategy for improving the quantity and quality parameters of the resulting liquid fuel. Numerous experimental measurements are typically conducted to find the optimal operating conditions. However, performing co-pyrolysis experiments is highly challenging due to the need for c...

Developing carbon-neutral bioenergy sources and bioproducts is an extraordinary opportunity for achieving an environmentally friendly economy. However, the overconsumption of resources in bioenergy and bioproduct production causes severe environmental concerns. The green biorefinery concept is one of the most attractive solutions for sustainably pr...

Chitin is a naturally occurring biopolymer, while chitosan is a deacetylated derivative of chitin. The unique properties of chitin/chitosan, such as nitrogen-rich, biodegradability, non-toxicity, high adsorption capacity, and biocompatibility, allow them to be utilized as precursors for CO2 adsorbents in pursuing the circular economy. This review p...

Chitin, as the main component of the exoskeleton of Arthropoda, is a highly available natural polymer that can be processed into various value-added products. Its most important derivative, i.e., chitosan, comprising β-1,4-linked 2-amino-2-deoxy-β-d-glucose (deacetylated d-glucosamine) and N-acetyl-d-glucosamine units, can be prepared via alkaline...

Mucilages are natural compounds consisting mainly of polysaccharides with complex chemical structures. Mucilages also contain uronic acids, proteins, lipids, and bioactive compounds. Because of their unique properties, mucilages are used in various industries, including food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Typically, commercial gums are composed o...

Depending on its physicochemical properties and antibacterial activities, chitosan can have a wide range of applications in food, pharmaceutical, medicine, cosmetics, agriculture, and aquaculture. In this experimental study, chitosan was extracted from shrimp waste through conventional extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and conventional ext...

The gasification process can treat and valorize municipal solid waste (MSW) in an environmentally and economically friendly way. Using this process, MSW can be safely disposed of and sustainably converted into bioenergy as part of regional planning. Experimental laboratory data is a key component in designing, optimizing, controlling, and scaling u...

The livestock industry needs to use crop straws that are highly digestible to improve feed productivity and reduce ruminal methane emissions. Hence, this study aimed to use the ozonation and pelleting processes to enhance the digestibility and reduce the ruminal methane emissions of wheat straw enriched with two nitrogen sources (i.e., urea and hea...

Fossil-derived products contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Transitioning from fossil-based to bio-based products is an effective solution to this problem. There has been substantial research on how biorefinery systems can help achieve such an aim. Marine shell-based biorefinery systems have been proposed in the past, but their en...

The current study aims to examine the economically viable biomass feedstocks for bioenergy generation and their export potential. The Product Space Model (PSM) is the primary tool used to achieve the aim by accomplishing certain objectives. The study’s findings show that Pakistan has abundant biomass resources for energy production. Canola oil, lea...

A new cutting-edge lignocellulose fractionation technology for the co-production of glucose, native-like lignin, and furfural was introduced using mannitol (MT)-assisted p-toluenesulfonic acid/pentanol pretreatment, as an eco-friendly process. The addition of optimized 5% MT in pretreatment enhanced the delignification rate by 29% and enlarged the...

Large amounts of agricultural waste, especially marine product waste, are produced annually. These wastes can be used to produce compounds with high-added value. Chitosan is one such valuable product that can be obtained from crustacean wastes. Various biological activities of chitosan and its derivatives, especially antimicrobial, antioxidant, and...

Chitosan is one of the valuable products obtained from crustacean waste. The unique characteristics of chitosan (antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory) have increased its application in various sectors. Besides unique biological properties, chitosan or chitosan-based compounds can stabilize emulsions. Nevertheless, studies h...

Co-pyrolysis of biomass feedstocks with polymeric wastes is a promising strategy for improving the quantity and quality parameters of the resulting liquid fuel. Numerous experimental measurements are typically conducted to find the optimal operating conditions. However, performing co-pyrolysis experiments is highly challenging due to the need for c...

The ideal conditions for anaerobic digestion experiments with biochar addition are challenging to thoroughly study due to different experimental purposes. Therefore, three tree-based machine learning models were developed to depict the intricate connection between biochar properties and anaerobic digestion. For the methane yield and maximum methane...

Microalgae have been promoted as important feedstocks for producing biofuels and bioproducts. However, their production on a large scale would require a large amount of water and nutrients. Considering the importance of food security and the high economic value of microalgal biomass, food and feed applications should be prioritized if microalgae ar...

Dilute acid (DA) pretreatment of biomass generates multiple inhibitory compounds within the pretreatment hydrolysates. These compounds subsequently contribute to the formation of pseudo-lignin on the surfaces of the substrate, consequently...

Biodiesel is a promising substitution for diesel for solving greenhouse gas emissions and traffic-related air pollution. If well-developed, switching to biodiesel can have other socioeconomic advantages, including energy security, job growth, and eco-friendly conversion of used-cooking oil. However, the biodiesel production industry currently has m...

In this work, solid-phase nitro-humification process was developed to activation of lignitic nitro-humic substances (NHSs) by using the two-step sequential treatment assisted by nitrogen enrichment (using KOH and urea as a humic acid activator and a nitrogen enrichment agent, respectively) and ozone oxidation in fixed-bed reactor. The changes in ma...

A cost-effective and energy-efficient nitro-humification process (urea pretreatment and ozone plasma oxidation) was developed for nitrogen functionalization and activation of the humic substances (HSs) of lignite. Different nitro-humification metrics, i.e., solubility, physicochemical properties, oxidation degree, nitrogen functionalization, spectr...

Chitosan, an amino polysaccharide mostly derived from crustaceans, has been recently highlighted for its biological activities that depend on its molecular weight (MW), degree of deacetylation (DD), and acetylation pattern (AP). More importantly, for some advanced biomaterials, the homogeneity of the chitosan structure is an important factor in det...

The sustainable and eco-friendly economic growth of a country is associated with its economic progress and the advancement of its bioenergy sector. Biowaste can be used to produce bioenergy and is increasingly being recognized as a promising resource for filling the energy gap. However, in developing countries, biowaste-to-energy techniques are rel...

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a promising technology to generate bioelectricity from biomass feedstocks at mild operating temperature and pressure conditions. Despite promising progress in MFC systems, their commercialization has been a major challenge, mainly due to the high cost of components, limited power generation, and lower efficiency. Thus,...

Microwave heating is a promising solution to overcome the shortcomings of conventional heating in biomass pyrolysis. Nevertheless, biomass microwave pyrolysis is a complex thermochemical process governed by several endogenous and exogenous parameters. Modeling such a complicated process is challenging due to the need for many experimental measureme...

The boom of the biodiesel industry has ramped up global glycerol production. Unfortunately, a large portion of the glycerol generated by this growing industry is recklessly discharged into the environment, overshadowing the environmental benefits of biodiesel fuel. Glycerol can be a valuable chemical platform in various processes to produce a wide...

Liquid transportation biofuel production is a promising strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Hydrothermal gasification (HTG) has shown great potential as an effective method for valorizing wet biomass. The high-quality syngas produced using the HTG process can be chemically/biochemically converted to liquid biofuels. Therefore, this paper a...

Biofuels have gained much attention as a potentially sustainable alternative to fossil fuels to tackle climate change and energy scarcity. Hence, the increasing global interest in contributing to the biofuel supply chain (BSC), from biomass feedstock to biofuel production, has led to a huge amount of scientific production in recent years. In this v...

As an industrial energy plant, the whole parts of the sunflower crop were used for biofuel production through a biorefinery approach. Two scenarios were suggested for this biorefinery, i.e., using all parts of the crop separately and the whole residues as a mixture. The oil extracted from seeds was applied for biodiesel production through transeste...

Crustacean waste, consisting of shells and other inedible fractions, represents an underutilized source of chitin. Here, we explore developments in the field of crustacean-waste-derived chitin and chitosan extraction and utilization, evaluating emerging food systems and biotechnological applications associated with this globally abundant waste stre...

Microwave heating technique has gained widespread popularity in pyrolyzing biomass feedstocks due to its several unique features over the conventional furnace heating method. Accordingly, the present work aimed at finding the optimal operating conditions of a microwave reactor applied to pyrolyze horse manure from the exergetic, exergoeconomic, and...

The pressing global challenges, including global warming and climate change, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the Covid-19 pandemic, all are indicative of the necessity of a transition from fossil-based systems toward bioenergy and bioproduct to ensure our plans for sustainable development. Such a transition, however, should be thoroughly engineered, co...

The anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) has been deemed a sustainable technology in simultaneous wastewater resource recovery and reclaimed water production. Membrane fouling is one of the most challenging issues in AnMBRs remaining to be addressed. Rather than emphasizing operational design and performance, a summarization of the existing unders...

The rapid development of textile industry and improvement of people's living standards have led to rapid production of cotton textile and simultaneously increase the production of textile wastes. Cotton is one of the most common textile materials, and the waste cotton accounts for 24 % of the total textile wastes. To effectively manage the wastes,...

Sludge pyrolysis has sparked the interest of researchers because of its capability to dispose of hazardous residues while producing valuable bioproducts. Numerous expensive and laborious experiments are conducted to understand sludge pyrolysis. Machine learning technology can eliminate the need for experimental measurements by systematically learni...

Most biomass is composted into low-grade bio-fertiliser or processed into energy fuel for burning. At the same time, waste palm shell is potentially converted into highly porous biochar for dechlorination in water treatment. A single-mode microwave activation was developed to perform microwave activation that incorporated the application of steam,...