FESEM Analysis Research Articles

A New Class of Multifunctional CoDyzFe2−zO4 Magnetic Nanomaterials: Influence of Structural, Morphological, Optical, Magnetic, Antibacterial, and Photocatalytic Traits

Here we focus on preparing recoverable Dy doped CoFe2O4 photocatalysts for the removal of the malachite green pollutant (MGP) in natural Sunlight. XRD results demonstrate development of the spinel symmetry with no impurities phases. The FESEM analysis revealed spherical grains with definite grain boundaries and agglomerated behavior. We found that our synthesized photocatalysts behaves as an excellent magnetic nanomaterial by observing the saturation magnetization of 77.79 emu g−1. Out of all photocatalysts, CoDy0.03Fe1.97O4 nanophotocatalyst exhibit the high zone of inhibition (ZOI) for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. It makes the prepared nanomaterials highly suitable for the biological purposes. The effectiveness of photocatalytic degradation activity of prepared specimens is significantly impacted by the addition of dysprosium ions. During a 150 min of reaction period, CoDy0.03Fe1.97O4 has a higher degradation percentage around 95.36% as compared to CoFe2O4 (86.09%). The prepared doped and undoped CoFe2O4 nanomaterials displayed the least decline in the degradation percentage of MGP after four reuse cycles and this might be attributable to the weight loss during the recovery. Therefore, the nanomaterials suggested a reliable and durable photocatalyst for degradation process. Hence the prepared magnetically recoverable and multifunctional photocatalysts are reliable for the water remediation and biological usages.

EFFECT OF NIOBIUM DOPANT CONCENTRATION ON ZNO NANOSTRUCTURES ON SI POROUS SUBSTRATE

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures have gained popularity in sensor technology due to their unique properties and facile device integration. However, the intrinsic optical and electrical properties of ZnO are suboptimal for direct industrial applications, necessitating enhancements through doping. This study investigates the impact of niobium (Nb) doping concentrations on the physical, optical, and electrical characteristics of ZnO nanostructures. FESEM analyses indicate successful deposition of ZnO on silicon nanoparticles substrates, with nanostructure sizes peaking at 88 nm and 115 nm for 6% and 8% Nb dopant concentrations, respectively. XRD results suggest that the structural integrity of the nanostructures is maintained up to a 10% doping level, with an optimal concentration at 6%. UV-Vis spectroscopy shows a shift in the absorption peak into the visible range and a decrease in maximum reflectivity from 47.5990% at 2% doping to 40.9205% at 6% doping, indicating enhanced light absorption suitable for optoelectronic applications. Electrical measurements reveal that a 6% Nb dopant concentration yields the lowest resistivity and highest conductivity among the tested samples. These findings underscore the potential of Nb-doped ZnO nanostructures in improving the performance of optoelectronic devices through tailored doping strategies.

Enhanced electrochemical performance of CoMoO4/r-GO composites as electrode material for supercapacitor application

In the present work, a CoMoO4/r-GO hybrid was synthesized via a simple hydrothermal process. The phase purity and chemical binding energy were studied by powder XRD and XPS analytical techniques. The surface topography and internal morphology of the CoMoO4/r-GO hybrid were tested by FE-SEM and TEM analysis. The EDX elemental mapping was confirmed by the presence of Co, Mo, O, and C in the CoMoO4/r-GO hybrid. The CoMoO4/r-GO hybrid electrode material delivered a high specific capacitance of 556 F/g compared to 396 F/g (CoMoO4) at a current density of 0.5 A/g. The life cycle stability of the CoMoO4/r-GO hybrid exhibited 97 % and 95 % of columbic efficiency and capacitance retained over 1000 charge-discharge (GCD) cycles at a current density of 10 A/g.

Enhancement of energy density for iron MOF-derived composite for aqueous supercapacitor by K3[Fe(CN)6] redox additive electrolyte

Redox additive added aqueous electrolyte attract extensive interest in supercapacitor application. Herein, the electrochemical of the synthesized Fe3O4/Si/GNP composite cathode electrode material was conducted in a two-electrode system via Swagelok cell assembly in the presence of with and without redox additive (0.2 M K3Fe(CN)6 in 1 M Li2SO4). The Fe3O4/Si/GNP composite was successfully synthesized by facile solvothermal method followed by calcination. The structural and morphology investigations of the Fe3O4/Si/GNP composite are conducted via XRD, FESEM, and BET analyses. The synergic effects between the composite material and redox-active ion (Fe2+/Fe3+) in the redox additive electrolyte enhance faradaic reactions, which are utilized to design a high-energy density supercapacitor. The Fe3O4/Si/GNP composite in redox additive electrolyte exhibits a 64.38 % increase in specific capacitance (319.45 F g−1 at 1 A g−1) and a 70.95 % increase in terms of energy density (35.56 Wh kg−1). Redox additive ions in the electrolyte enhance ionic conductivity and facilitate electron transfer across the porous structure of the Fe3O4/Si/GNP composite. The fast reversible kinetics of iron ions enable it to sustain decent cycle stability with a capacitance retention of 73.7 % after 1200 cycles.

An Integrated Hydrometallurgical Treatment and Combustion Process for Sustainable Production of Sm2O3 Nanoparticles from Waste SmCo Magnets

Samarium (Sm), as one of the rare earth elements (REEs), has gained significant attention in the production of SmCo magnets due to their high corrosion and oxidation resistance, as well as their high-temperature stability. SmCo magnets find applications in various industries, including but not limited to national defense, aerospace, military, and medical equipment. Sm and Co have been classified as a critical metal due to its economic importance and supply risk. Recovering Sm from SmCo magnets is an effective method to ensure a stable supply. The present study investigates an integrated hydrometallurgical treatment and combustion process for the preparation of rare earth oxide (Sm2O3) powders from SmCo. Initially, SmCo powders is exposed to nitric acid, and the resulting slurry is selectively oxidized at 250 °C to obtain Sm(NO3)3, Co2O3, and Fe2O3. Subsequently, the selectively oxidized powders are leached with water to extract Sm. Sm2O3 powders are produced from the obtained leaching solution using an energy- and time-efficient solution combustion process. In this process, once the ignition point of the leaching solution-citric acid complex is reached, combustion occurs and concludes within a short time. The combusted powders are then calcined at different temperatures to produce crystalline Sm2O3 powders. Finally, the optimal conditions for the production of Sm2O3 are identified, and the produced powder is characterized through XRD and FESEM analysis.

Molecularly imprinted polymer based on MIL-101 (Cr) MOF incorporated polyvinylidene for selective adsorption and separation dye with improved antifouling properties

In this work, new membrane was fabricated from polyester fabric (PF) as a substrate which was coated by a casting solution containing polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) blending by addition of MIL-101 (Cr) metal-organic framework (MOF)-molecularly imprinted 3-aminophenolhexamethylenetetramine (MIAPH) as filler and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as hydrophilic agent. The membrane was fabricated by phase inversion method (PVDF/MIAPH). The MIAPH has selective functional groups and was applied as filler in the mixed matrix membrane. The as-prepared MIAPH was characterized by FE-SEM, EDS, XRD, FTIR and BET-BJH analyses. The hydrophilic property, dye adsorption and filtration properties of the MIAPH/PVDF/PF membrane were studied for removal Trypan blue (TB) based on central composite design (CCD) technique through investigating operational variables (pH, TB concentration, pressure). In the fabrication of membranes, the optimal filtration properties appear at the 30 μL of SDS solution and 0.005 g MIAPH fillers. The fabricated MIAPH/PVDF/PF membrane indicates a high removal efficiency up to 94.9 % for the TB removal and has high selectivity. The data of the adsorption equilibrium were described by the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms. The findings illustrated that appropriate of MIAPH in membranes could be an efficient and selective technique for TB elimination.

Optimization of Synthesizing Conditions for MXene (Ti3C2) Photocatalyst: Effect of LiF:Ti3AlC2 Mass Ratio

The analysis of the proposed work, specifically the development of the MXene photocatalyst, will be described in this chapter. The results of the analysis are useful for comparing the pristine precursor and etched structures of the MXene photocatalyst. A minimally intensive layer delamination (MILD) method will be used to create the MXene photocatalyst which uses lower fluorine content solution (HCl-LiF) creating a safer and easier method. The synthesis parameters for the development of highly efficient MXene photocatalysts, such as LiF:Ti3AlC2 mass ratio will be optimized. FTIR, XRD, SAP, FESEM and DR UV-Vis analysis will be used to characterize the as-developed MXene photocatalyst and its precursor, Ti3AlC2. The hypothesis of this study is etching treatment will increase the hydrophilicity and active functional group such as oxygen (O), fluorine (F) and hydroxyl (-OH) on MXene surfaces. The performance of photocatalytic degradation will be tested with an initial dye concentration of 30 ppm, solution pH at pH7 at room temperature (±27 ̊C). Each photocatalytic degradation study was performed in 50 ml of methylene blue solution with 0.1 g photocatalyst. All developed MXenes will undergo photocatalytic degradation performance to identify the optimized synthesizing conditions. The highest MXene photodegradation performance was found to reach 90% removal within 180 min.

Erratum: Efficient biodegradation of low-density polyethylene by Pseudomonas plecoglossicida SYp2123 was observed through FT-IR and FE-SEM analysis

Erratum: Efficient biodegradation of low-density polyethylene by Pseudomonas plecoglossicida SYp2123 was observed through FT-IR and FE-SEM analysis

The silibinin-loaded Zein-β cyclodextrin nano-carriers (SZBC-NCs) as a novel selective cancer cell drug delivery system in HT-29 cell line

Entrapping phytochemical bioactive compounds into nano-structured biocompatible polymers has been successfully utilized for improving cancer treatment efficiency. Silibinin is a potent compound that shows promising anticancer properties. In the present study, the Zein-β-cyclodextrin complex was used to encapsulate silibinin and evaluate the induced cell death type and cytotoxic impacts on human cancer cells. The silibinin-loaded Zein-β cyclodextrin nano-carriers (SZBC-NCs) were synthesized utilizing a gradual ultrasound-mediated homogenization technique and characterized by Zeta potential, DLS, FESEM, and FTIR analysis. The SZBC-NCs’ antioxidant activity was studied by conducting ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging assays. Finally, the SZBC-NCs selective toxicity and cellular death induction mechanism were studied on the HT-29 and AGS cancer cells by measuring the cell survival and apoptotic gene (Caspase 3, 9), respectively, which were verified by conducting the DAPI staining analysis. The negatively charged (− 27.47 mV) nanoparticles (286.55 nm) showed significant ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Moreover, the remarkable decrease in the IC50 concentrations of the SZBC-NCs among the HT-29 and AGS cancer cell lines exhibited their selective cytotoxic potential. Also, the overexpressed apoptotic (Caspases 3 and 9) and down-regulated necrotic (NFKB) gene expressions following the SZBC-NCs treatment doses indicated the apoptotic activity of SZBC-NCs, which were verified by the increased apoptotic morphology of the DAPI-stained HT-29 cancer cells. The antioxidant and colon cancer cell-related apoptotic activity of the SZBC-NCs make it an appropriate anti-colon cancer nano delivery system. Therefore, they can potentially be used as a safe efficient colon cancer treatment strategy. However, further in vivo experiments including animal cancer models have to be studied.

Enhancing Zn (II) recovery efficiency: Bi-divalent nickel–cobalt ferrite spinel NiXCo1-xFe2O4 as a Game-changing Adsorbent—an experimental and computational study

This study presents a comprehensive investigation into NiXCo1-xFe2O4 (x = 0.5) spinel nanoparticles synthesized through a one-pot hydrothermal method using Co(NO3)2.6H2O and Ni(NO3)2.6H2O salts. XRD, FTIR, FESEM, and VSM analyses confirmed a cubic structure of NiXCo1-xFe2O4 (x = 0.5) nanoparticles without impurities. These nanoparticles exhibit efficient Zn (II) adsorption characteristics, following Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics. The maximum adsorption capacity was measured to be 666.67 mg g−1 at pH = 7, with mechanisms involving both electrostatic attraction and cation exchange. Desorption studies indicate more than 75% Zn (II) recovery in an acidic environment (pH = 2) after three cycles. Computational analysis was used to validate the experimental results through Molecular Dynamics simulations, initially focusing on NiXCo1-xFe2O4 (x = 0.5). Further exploration involved variations in x at 0.25 and 0.75 to identify the optimal Ni and Co ratio in this bivalent cation spinel ferrite. Computational analyses reveal the superior performance of NiXCo1-xFe2O4 (x = 0.75) in Zn (II) removal, supported by radial distribution analysis, VdW energy, Coulombic energy, mean square displacement (MSD), root mean square displacement (RMSD), and interaction energy. This comprehensive study provides valuable insights into the adsorption behavior and structural stability of NiXCo1-xFe2O4 nanoparticles, showcasing potential applications in Zn (II) removal.

Fast and effective hydroquinone adsorption by poly (2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)/zinc oxide nanocomposite hydrogel in textile wastewater treatment

ABSTRACT Hydroquinone, a widely used phenolic compound, poses significant health and environmental risk and must be removed from wastewater. In this study, a novel adsorbent was developed for the removal of hydroquinone from aqueous solutions through the in-situ polymerisation of 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) in the presence of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). The kinetics of equilibrium swelling in deionised water (DI) and the effect of pH on the swelling behaviour were investigated. The structure of the nanocomposite hydrogel was analysed using FTIR, XRD, FESEM, EDX, TEM, and BET analysis. Various factors affecting the adsorption process, such as solution pH (2–12), initial concentration (25–200 mg/L), adsorbent dosage (4.0–80 mg/100 mL), NaCl concentration (0.1–1.0 mol/L), and temperature, were also investigated. The adsorption capacity of hydroquinone and the removal efficiency of PDMAEMA@ZnO reached 455 mg/g and 91%, respectively, at pH 11 within 15 minutes. Furthermore, PDMAEMA@ZnO showed a high removal efficiency of 99.47% in tests with real wastewater. Reusability studies showed that the adsorbent retained its ability to remove hydroquinone after four regeneration cycles. The adsorption data were well described by the pseudo-second order and Langmuir models. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption process is spontaneous and endothermic. Therefore, the adsorbent, has considerable industrial potential as it quickly and efficiently adsorbs phenolic impurities such as hydroquinone from real textile wastewater.

A comprehensive experimental and DFT analysis on thermoelectric properties of Sb, Te co-doped Bi2Se3 polycrystals

As tellurides and selenides of Bismuth are extensively used thermoelectric materials in the low-temperature range with refrigeration application, A concerted effort is put forth to boost the ZT by co-doping the pristine Bi2Se3 with antimony (Sb) on cation end and tellurium (Te) on anion side of the compound. The double sintered solid-state reaction method is employed in the preparation of Bi2Se3 and (Bi1−xSbx)2Se2.7Te0.3 polycrystalline pellets, with x = 0.02, 0.04, and 0.06. The sample exhibits a rhombohedral structure with the space group of R 3¯\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\overline{3 }$$\\end{document} m. FESEM and EDAX analysis are used to confirm surface morphology and elemental composition of the produced samples. The thermoelectric measurements for the pristine and co-doped samples were conducted by the physical property measurement system as well as a considerable increase in the Seebeck coefficient of − 115 µV/K is observed for 0.02 doping of the Sb which is 4.2 times greater than as for pristine (S = − 28 µV/K). Higher concentration doping (x = 0.04, 0.06) has not reflected any Seebeck coefficient advancement. In contrast, the lowest total thermal conductivity at a low-temperature regime (< 50 K) is observed for x = 0.06 doping concentration which at near room temperature increases beyond the pristine thermal conductivity; whereas, x = 0.02, 0.04 doping concentration shows a decrement in total thermal conductivity at low, at room temperature region the values are almost equivalent to that of pristine. The co-doped samples’ electrical resistivity is substantially less than pristine sample. The highest power factor of 3 × 10–4 µW/mK2 is obtained for the x = 0.02 sample. The highest ZT value for the x = 0.02 sample is almost 28 times more than a pristine sample. We conducted a study where we combined experimental and DFT methods to investigate thermoelectric properties incorporated into pristine and doped with antimony and tellurium on Bi2Se3. We have employed this combination to investigate the partial density of states, Seebeck coefficient, power factor using the Boltzmann transport equation. Theoretical thermoelectric data were derived and compared to experimental observations. Hence, using combined experimental and theoretical investigations helps to predict with higher accuracy of thermoelectric properties of semiconducting materials.

Adsorption of metal porphyrins using chitosan/zeolite-X composite as an efficient demetallization agent for crude oil: Isotherm, kinetic, and thermodynamic studies

Chitosan/zeolite-X (CHS/ZX) was synthesized to serve as an effective adsorbent for metal porphyrins through adsorption processes as an alternative to traditional separation methods from crude oil. The adsorption-desorption mechanisms of vanadyl and nickel tetraphenyl porphyrin (VO-TPP and Ni-TPP) were conducted on the model solution. Compared to individual components CHS and ZX, the CHS/ZX composite exhibited a doubled capacity for metal porphyrin removal. The synthesized composite was systematically characterized using FESEM, BET, XRD, FTIR, TGA, XPS, and CHN analyses. The study investigated the impact of many factors, including temperature, initial metal-porphyrin concentration, CHS/ZX dose, and contact time, on the adsorption efficiency of metal-porphyrin using CHS/ZX adsorbents. The adsorption processes of VO-TPP and Ni-TPP on CHS/ZX were effectively assessed through various equilibrium models, such as Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R). The pseudo-second-order model accurately depicted the adsorption processes of both VO-TPP and Ni-TPP. Determining the point of zero charge (pHPZC) highlighted the composite's surface charge distribution. Furthermore, considering the ΔG° and ΔH° values, the adsorption processes at different temperatures are exothermic, and VO-TPP exhibits a greater adsorption capacity than Ni-TPP under similar conditions. Notably, 73.7 % of VO-TPP and 83.8 % of Ni-TPP that were adsorbed were successfully recovered.

Shelf-life enhancement of Gerbera jamesonii flowers by the green synthesised ZnO nanoflowers

ABSTRACT This study has been aimed to synthesise the self-assembled, flower-shaped zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NFs) by using a green synthesis method using the aqueous extract from the peels of Citrus reticulata. Both HR-TEM and Fe-SEM analyses have confirmed the flower-like morphology for the synthesised nanoparticles. The observed zeta potential value of −48.0 mV further indicated its highly stable structure. The X-ray diffractogram of the ZnO NFs showed the characteristic diffraction peaks for the crystalline ZnO without any impurity peak, indicating the complete reduction into nanoparticles and thereby, the formation of pure crystalline ZnO NFs. The antibacterial activity of ZnO NFs was then studied using the standard well diffusion method and demonstrated significant bactericidal effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.048 mg mL−1. Additionally, the ZnO NFs were evaluated for their potential to enhance the shelf life of Gerbera jamesonii flowers when treated with different concentrations in a chitosan-based solution. The ZnO NFs supplemented solution here was found to preserve the freshness of the cut flowers for up to 9.3 ± 0.3 days compared to the 3-day shelf life of the control group. These findings suggest ZnO NFs to have significant antibacterial properties and can effectively extend the shelf life of cut flowers.

Joining Behaviour of Thick Plate Using High-Frequency Induction Assisted Arc Welding

Combining a preheating source with conventional arc welding is a promising method to study the weld quality and improvement of strength for high-strength super-alloy materials. The present research used an induction preheating source with plasma arc welding (PAW) to weld Inconel 625 thick plates. The investigation was performed at a constant induction current of 600 A, welding speed of 100 mm/min and a plasma welding current of 135 A. The induction-assisted plasma arc welding (IAPAW) demonstrated that a weld joint was possible with static induction preheating and a high plasma welding current at low welding speed. The microstructural observation showed various dendritic structures in the fusion zone (FZ). The FESEM and EDX analysis confirmed the formation of Laves phase in the interdendritic structure of the FZ. The ultimate tensile strength of the IAPAW joint reached to 658 MPa. The tensile fracture surface of the welded sample revealed a lower number of dimples, indicating the reduction of ductility. The XRD analysis was carried out at various zones and it confirmed the peak shifting towards the higher 2-theta value of the FZ.

Synthesized ZnO nanoparticles using Sorghum Panicle for the photocatalytic degradation of pharmaceutical waste water

Sorghum Panicle, an agricultural waste material, contributes to air pollution when burned, causing health hazards. This research focuses on green synthesizing ZnO nanoparticles from Sorghum Panicle for Photocatalytic degradation, Antibacterial, and Phytotoxicity applications. The nanoparticles underwent surface and optical, morphological, structural, thermal, and zeta potential analyses. The Plasmon peak appeared at 381 nm, and XRD analysis revealed a crystallite size of 59.49 nm. Stability was confirmed via FTIR and Zeta potential analyses. FESEM analysis showed spherical particles sized 50–90 nm, aligning with XRD results. EDX analysis verified the presence of zinc and oxygen. TGA and DSC analyses demonstrated thermal stability. Paracetamol, a common painkiller, was used as a model pollutant. At pH 8, a 15 ppm nanoparticle concentration achieved a 90–95 % removal efficiency at 20 °C with 150 rpm agitation under UV light. The antibacterial study included both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The Phytotoxicity study, using mung beans, showed a 100 % seed germination rate with treated water, indicating high efficiency.

Biosynthesis and characterisations of silver nanoparticles with filamentous cyanobacterium Lyngbya sp. with in vitro antibacterial properties against MDR pathogenic bacteria.

This study describes phycocompounds of the non-N2-fixing filamentous cyanobacterium Lyngbya sp., which has potential bio-reducing and stabilizing heavy metal-accumulating properties for synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), whose formation was confirmed by the colour change of the Lyngbya sp.-AgNP solution from pale green to deep brown. The reduction of 'Lyngbya sp.-AgNPs', called Lsp-AgNPs, was proved by UV-visible photo-spectrometry analysis with an obtained peak value at 426 nm. Lsp-AgNPs were characterised by analytical techniques, XRD, FESEM, DLS and FTIR. The XRD analysis with 5-70 theta was obtained at 2ϴ angles ranging from 38.79º with intensity, indicating the crystal structure of Lsp-AgNPs. The FESEM analysis indicated the area size at 20-50 µm; in the DLS analysis, the peak at 400 d nm indicated the size and distribution of Lsp-AgNPs. In FTIR analysis, the peaks were obtained at wavenumbers 3338, 1639, and 542 cm-1, which indicated the presence of N-H, -OH and C=O functional groups in Lsp-AgNPs. Those had in vitro antibacterial activities against Gram-negative Escherichia coli (MTCC 443) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 1688) and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 7443) bacterial strains with zone of inhibitions (ZOI) of 16, 12 and 14 mm, respectively, with comparing the antibiotic gentamycin as a positive control, as was monitored with agar-well diffusion method. Furthermore, the MIC value was 50 mg/ml, and MBC values of 65 mg/ml of Lsp-AgNPs were effective against those bacteria. Thus, Lsp-AgNPs had potential antibacterial activities against MDR pathogenic S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa. In conclusion, MDR pathogenic bacteria could be controlled as prodrugs in the future.

Accessing biochemical shifts in a novel Scenedesmus strain via acetaminophen detoxification: Experiment utilizing Box-Behnken optimization and isotherm analysis

Acetaminophen's inherent solubility and hydrophilic nature facilitate its accumulation in aquatic ecosystems. Herein, Scenedesmus dimorphus IITISM-DIX1 demonstrates efficient acetaminophen removal, concurrently serving as a substrate for lipid biosynthesis. Employing Box-Behnken design, optimization of parameters like pH, light duration and concentration of acetaminophen influencing its elimination is executed. Characterization of pre- and post-algal biomass involves FE-SEM, FTIR, and BET analysis. Kinetic and adsorption analyses reveal pseudo-first-order kinetics (R2 = 0.99) and adherence to the Freundlich isotherm (R2 = 0.94). FTIR spectroscopy demonstrates subtle shifts in IR bands post-sorption, indicative of biomass involvement in adsorption processes. Biodegradation and biosorption serve as the main removal pathways, facilitated by exopolysaccharides, generating by-products such as 4-aminophenol, hydroquinone, and formic acid. The Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) values obtained for the Freundlich isotherm validate it as the optimal model, indicating heterogeneous multilayered sorption with efficiency ranging from 44% to 100%. Additionally, exposure to acetaminophen-contaminated media leads to biochemical alterations in Scenedesmus dimorphus IITISM-DIX1. The findings of this study unveil the first elucidated pathway for acetaminophen degradation by any Scenedesmus species, delivering essential knowledge about microalgae-mediated acetaminophen degradation and lipid enrichment mechanisms.

Simultaneous removal of Ni2+ and Congo red from wastewater by crystalline nanocellulose - Modified coal bionanocomposites: Continuous adsorption study with mathematical modeling

Due to ultra-fast technological improvement and rapid urbanization nowadays, industries have generated a huge amount of wastewater that is discharged directly into the environment. Resulting in harsh damage to ecology and public safety/security by contaminating the ground/surface water sources. Therefore, it is very crucial to purify this wastewater before discharging/reusing. This study will be devoted to the latest enhancements along with the new route of production of the multifunctional Crystalline Nanocellulose-Modified Bituminous Coal (CNC-MC) bionanocomposites. Besides these, the significant implementation of the fabricated CNC-MC bionanosorbents for the simultaneous removal of Ni2+ and Congo red (CR) from bulk-scale industrial wastewater has been stated. Conversely, influential parameters like inlet concentration (25–45 ppm), flow rate (3–5 mL/min), and adsorbent bed height (0.2–0.8 cm) were explored. The bionanosorbents were characterized by using some state-of-the-art equipment such as FTIR-ATR, XRD, BET, FESEM, and TGA analysis, while the water samples were analyzed by AAS and UV-NIR techniques. Results suggested that the fabricated CNC-MC bionanocomposites possessed a considerable amount of active binding sites/functional groups, showed high thermal stability up to 700°C, and had a high crystallinity index (around 92.41 ± 0.009%). They revealed a noteworthy honeycomb-like mesoporous microstructure with a significant specific surface area. Due to these outstanding features, this multifunctional bionanosorbents has exhibited sensational adsorption performance. Meanwhile, the maximum removal efficiency and percentage were observed at approximately 328.7 and 478.3 mg/g, as well as around 67.95 and 76.65% for Ni2+ and CR. The experimental data was evaluated by three well-known column models, namely the Thomas, Adam-Bohart, and Yoon-Nelson models, and respectable agreement was found. That is similarly appropriate for the justification of the experimental breakthrough curve by supporting the Langmuir isotherm and 2nd-order reversible reaction kinetics. Hence, this novel CNC-MC bionanosorbent could be beneficially used to purify industrial wastewater in an economical and eco-friendly way for sustainable environmental safety.

Evaluation of Salophen-Based Immobilized Copper Nanoparticles Biosynthesized Using Curcuma Longa Extract: Physicochemical Characterization and Biological Study

The treatment of infectious diseases has become more difficult today than in the past, as a result of the increasing resistance of pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains to antibiotics and antifungals. As a solution, it is necessary to design new antimicrobial agents to deal with these strains. Schiff bases and their metallic derivatives, especially silver and copper complexes, have a prominent place in the pharmaceutical industry due to their excellent inhibitory potential against microbial strains. In order to combine these inhibitory effects in a single compound, a novel Cu@Ag-salophen nanocomposite was prepared by immobilizing of biochemical synthesized copper nanoparticles from methanolic extract of Curcuma longa on an Ag(I) salophen Schiff base complex. The physicochemical characterization of prepared nanocomposite was attained by FTIR, UV/Vis, TEM, FESEM, EDAX, ICP-AES, and XRD analyses. All the synthesized compounds, including Schiff base ligand, Ag complex, Cu nanoparticles, and the Cu@Ag-salophen nanocomposite, were assessed for their potential activities on DPPH free radicals and 8 different pathogenic microorganisms. The IC50 values in the range of 4.02–71.49 μg/ml were assessed in DPPH scavinging studies, indicating their potential to be utilized as potent antioxidant agents to treat oxidative stress-related diseases. Among the tested compounds, the Schiff base ligand exhibited excellent antioxidant effects. Regarding the antimicrobial activities, the Schiff base ligand showed a wide spectrum of antimicrobial effects, with MIC, MBC, and MFC values ranging from 256 to 4096 μg/ml. However, the Ag complex alone did not exhibit any inhibitory effect against the tested microbial strains. Interestingly, when the copper nanoparticles were combined with it in the form of the Cu@Ag-salophen nanocomposite, the resulting material was able to prevent the growth of 5 out of 8 tested strains. Synergistic effects were observed with nanocomposite against P. aeruginosa, S. epidermidis, and A. fumigatus strains. These findings suggest that the functionalization of the ligand and the incorporation of additional nanoparticles could further improve the antimicrobial efficacy of the Cu@Ag-salophen nanocomposite, converting it into a more efficient antimicrobial agent.