Prof. Ambrish Singh (R), Nagaland University, with Prof. Yujie Qiang, National Centre for Materials Service Safety, University of Science & Technology Beijing. Photo credit: Special Arrangement
GUWAHATI
Apple farm waste might quickly assist defend metallic pipes, equipment, and infrastructure from corrosion.
An worldwide analysis staff led by Nagaland University (NU) has discovered a option to flip discarded apple leaves right into a extremely efficient, eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor, providing as much as 96.2% safety for copper in harsh chemical situations.
The examine, carried out in collaboration with the University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), exhibits that tiny carbon particles created from apple leaves can protect metals from corrosion with out utilizing poisonous chemical substances generally employed in trade.
The authors of the examine are Ambrish Singh of the NU’s Department of Chemistry and Yujie Qiang, Ye Zhang, Xinyang Liu, and Ying Jin of the USTB’s National Centre for Materials Service Safety. The former is a visiting professor on the USTB.
Their findings have been printed in the Journal of Alloys and Compounds, a number one worldwide scientific journal.
Corrosion is a pricey world drawback, damaging pipelines, storage tanks, and industrial tools in oil and fuel, chemical processing, energy technology, and different sectors. Conventional corrosion inhibitors typically include hazardous substances that pose dangers to each the setting and human well being.
The researchers discovered that their apple leaf-based solution, often known as carbon quantum dots, carried out exceptionally properly even at low concentrations. In acidic situations—the place metals corrode quicker—the fabric decreased copper corrosion by 94%, rising to 96.2% over time, ranges thought-about extremely promising for industrial use.
Explaining its sensible worth, Prof. Singh said that industries working in acidic environments face excessive upkeep prices and security dangers attributable to corrosion. “Biomass-based inhibitors like the apple-leaf material could extend the life of industrial equipment while being safer for workers and the environment,” he stated.
Prof. Qiang added that the staff used a green processing technique to transform apple leaves into nanoscale carbon particles. These particles cling tightly to metallic surfaces, forming a secure protecting layer that blocks corrosive chemical substances.
While the outcomes are at the moment primarily based on laboratory checks, the staff plans to maneuver towards pilot-scale trials and real-world purposes, together with combining the fabric with current protecting coatings
Calling the work a serious step ahead, Nagaland University Vice-Chancellor Jagadish Kumar Patnaik stated the examine exhibits how agricultural waste might be changed into a high-impact green expertise. “Such innovations reduce dependence on toxic chemicals while addressing real-world industrial challenges,” he stated.
Beyond corrosion safety, the analysis highlights the potential of waste-to-wealth options. By changing farm residue into priceless nanomaterials, the expertise might assist round economic system fashions and open up new revenue alternatives for farming communities.
Published – January 19, 2026 12:55 pm IST