Kohima, Jan 19: What was once discarded as apple waste may soon help protect bridges, pipelines and industrial equipment. An international research team led by Nagaland University has shown that carbon quantum dots made from fallen apple leaves can offer powerful, eco-friendly protection against metal corrosion—one of the most costly problems faced by global industries.
In collaboration with the University of Science and Technology Beijing, the researchers developed apple-leaf carbon quantum dots (ACDs) that effectively prevent copper corrosion in acidic environments. The study presents a sustainable alternative to conventional corrosion inhibitors, many of which are toxic and environmentally damaging.
Led by Prof. Ambrish Singh of Nagaland University and Prof. Yujie Qiang of the University of Science and Technology Beijing, the team demonstrated that the apple-leaf ACDs achieved a corrosion inhibition efficiency of 94 per cent at low concentrations, rising to 96.2 per cent over longer exposure periods—performance levels considered highly promising for industrial use.
The findings were published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Alloys and Compounds, a leading international journal focusing on advanced materials and their applications.
Congratulating the researchers, Nagaland University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik said the study highlights how waste can be transformed into high-impact green technology. “This Nagaland University–led Indo-China collaboration demonstrates how apple-leaf waste can be converted into an eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor offering up to 96.2 per cent protection for copper. It reflects our commitment to sustainable science that reduces dependence on toxic chemicals while addressing real-world industrial challenges,” he said.
Beyond industrial benefits, the research also strengthens the waste-to-wealth approach. By converting agricultural residue into valuable nanomaterials, the study supports circular economy models and could open new income opportunities for farming communities.
Explaining the wider impact, Prof. Ambrish Singh said industries such as oil and gas, chemical processing, power generation and wastewater treatment are especially vulnerable to corrosion due to acidic operating conditions. “Biomass-derived inhibitors like apple-leaf ACDs could significantly extend the service life of pipelines, storage tanks and industrial equipment, while reducing maintenance costs and health risks linked to conventional chemicals,” he said.
Prof. Yujie Qiang, from the National Centre for Materials Service Safety at the University of Science and Technology Beijing, said the team used a green hydrothermal process to convert apple leaves into nanoscale carbon particles enriched with sulphur and nitrogen. “These elements create multiple active sites that strongly adhere to metal surfaces. Electrochemical tests confirmed that the ACDs form a compact and stable protective film on copper, effectively blocking corrosive ion transfer,” he said, adding that theoretical modelling identified nitrogen-containing groups as key anchors of the protective layer.
While the results are currently based on laboratory-scale experiments, the researchers plan to move towards pilot-scale testing and real-world deployment, including integration with existing protective coatings.
The collaboration places Nagaland University at the forefront of sustainable corrosion science, underlining how international partnerships can turn everyday waste into solutions for global industrial challenges.
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