FTIR Analysis Research Articles

Bioremediation of Iron-Laden Steel Plant Effluent Using Bacillus Licheniformis: A Study of Isolation, Characterization, and Optimization

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigates the physicochemical characteristics and bioremediation potential of Bacillus licheniformis on effluent from a steel manufacturing facility in Salem, India Method: A laboratory-based experimental approach was used in the study to assess Bacillus licheniformis's capacity for bioremediation of steel production wastewater. Separating the bacteria from the wastewater, describing its physicochemical characteristics, and evaluating how well it reduced iron levels were the steps in the process. For chemical analysis, FTIR spectroscopy was employed, and for microbiological identification, normal biochemical assays were employed. Optimizing bioremediation parameters including inoculum concentration, pH, temperature, and incubation duration was one of the procedures. Results and Discussion: The study discovered that Bacillus licheniformis successfully decreased iron concentrations in steel production wastewater, bringing them down from 41.54 mg/L to 23.08 mg/L. Significant alterations in the effluent's chemical composition were shown by FTIR analysis, suggesting that organic contaminants had been successfully degraded. The greatest results were obtained after optimizing the bioremediation settings, which included a 48-hour incubation at 30°C, pH 6, and a 6% inoculum concentration. These results contribute to more sustainable effluent management techniques by highlighting Bacillus licheniformis as a viable bioremediation agent for treating iron-laden industrial wastewater. Research Implications: The research's practical implications indicate that Bacillus licheniformis can be used to clean wastewater that contains iron, especially in the steel sector, using bioremediation techniques. The results might encourage ecologically friendly methods of treating industrial effluent and have an impact on sustainable wastewater management practices. Theoretically, this work advances our knowledge of the role that microbes play in environmental biotechnology, namely in the reduction of metals and the breakdown of organic contaminants. Environmental engineering, industrial wastewater treatment, and microbial bioremediation research are among the fields that potentially profit from these discoveries.

Harnessing C@Zn@TiO2 nanocomposites for cadmium adsorption in aquatic media

ABSTRACT In this work, the elimination of Cd+2 ions in aqueous solution using carbon/Zn/TiO2 nanoparticles, synthesised by sol – gel based Pechini method at intermediate temperature, was studied. The synthesised C@Zn@TiO2 was characterised by SEM, TEM, EDX, XRD, BET, and XPS techniques to verify the formation of semi-spherical nanoparticles with dominant anatase TiO2 phase and elemental composition of the expected elements. Concurrently, the impact of the solution pH, pHpzc, contact time, adsorbent dose, and initial ions concentration were discussed. The findings revealed that at pH 7.0, a maximum of 174 mg. g−1 of Cd+2 ions were adsorbed at 120 minutes of equilibrium time. The Langmuir and pseudo-second-order models appropriately fitted the isotherm and kinetics data. The intraparticle model analysis indicated that film diffusion controls the adsorption of metal ions adsorption at the initial stage and, the intraparticle diffusion at the second stage. The FTIR and XPS analysis further proved Cd+2 ions being adsorbed onto the surface via an electrostatic mechanism. The fabricated nanostructure could be recycled and reused four times with a high competence above 71.5%. The facile synthesis, low cost, harmlessness, and remarkable removal efficiency make the C@Zn@TiO2 a promising material for treating heavy metal-contaminated water.

Bioharvesting and improvement of nano-silica yield from bagasse by irradiated Curvularia spicifera

BackgroundSugarcane bagasse is an organic waste material abundant in silica. Silica is a very significant inorganic substance that is widely employed in a variety of industrial applications.This study displays an eco-friendly and inexpensive biotransformation process producing silica nanoparticles (SNPs) using a primarily reported Curvularias picifera strain under solid-state fermentation (SSF) on bagasse as a starting material. The produced SNps were characterized by XRD, DLS, Zeta sizer, FT-IR, SEM, and TEM analyses. The silica bioleaching ability of C. spicifera was further amended by exposure to gamma irradiation at a dose of 750 Gy. The biotransformation process was additionally optimized by applying response surface methodology (RSM).ResultAccording to screening experiments, the selected promising fungal isolate was identified as Curvularia spicifera AUMC 15532. The SNPs fabrication was significantly enhanced by gamma irradiation (optimal dose 750 Gy) and response surface methodology for the first time. The attained SNps’ size ranged from 30.6–130.4 nm depending on the biotransformation conditions employed in the statistical model, which is available for numerous applications. The XRD shows the amorphous nature of the fabricated SNPs, whereas the FTIR analysis revealed the three characteristic bands of SNPs. The outcomes of the response surface optimization demonstrated that the model exhibited an adequate degree of precision, as evidenced by the higher R2 value (0.9511) and adjusted R2 value (0.8940), which confirmed the model’s close correspondence with the experimental data. A gamma irradiation dose of 750 Gy was optimal for a significant increase in the silica bioleaching activity by C. spicifera fermented bagasse (71.4% increase compared to the non-irradiated strain).

Release Characteristics of Fenugreek Polysaccharide‐Lemon Essential Oil Inclusion Compound and Its Application in Cigarette Flavouring

ABSTRACTEmbedding is an effective method to overcome the poor thermal stability and release properties of lemon essential oil (LEO). This research focused on the fabrication of inclusion complexes through co‐precipitation and response surface optimization, employing Fenugreek polysaccharide (FP15) as the wall material. The complexes were assessed through thermal analysis and in vitro slow‐release investigations. XRD, FTIR and SEM analysis proved that LEO formed supramolecular structure with FP15 through hydrogen bonding and van der Waals force, and was successfully embedded with packaging efficiency of 57.33%. Thermal behaviour analysis showed that FP15 as a wall material significantly improved the thermal stability of LEO. The analysis based on the KAS and Coats‐Redfern methods showed that the apparent activation energy of inclusion compounds increased with the increase of conversion rate, and the secondary reaction model (F2) could better describe the pyrolysis reaction mechanism of inclusion compounds. In vitro release experiments showed that the release of LEO from the inclusion at 37°C (human body temperature) and 65°C (food processing temperature) followed a first‐order kinetic model, with LEO being released from the carrier by non‐Fickian diffusion. The analysis of pyrolysis products showed that the inclusion compound pyrolyzed at 300°C, 600°C and 900°C to produce a large number of aldehydes, esters and non‐/semi‐volatile organic acids. The production of these flavour substances improves the quality, concentration of aroma, rich‐ness and harmony of the cigarette during smoking. In summary, FP15 as a wall material slowed down the release of LEO, enhanced its stability and improved the sensory quality of cigarettes.

Adsorptive removal of Congo red dye from industrial effluent using cotton calyx iron oxide (CC-Fe3O4) composite.

Environmental pollution is an emerging issue in the areas of South Asia and the burning of crop residues is one of the major contributors to smog/pollutants production. In recent work, the residues of cotton crop, i.e., cotton calyx (CC), have been converted into a valuable and eco-friendly adsorbent at zero cost for the refining of polluted waters. Furthermore, cotton calyx composite was synthesized with iron oxide (CC-Fe3O4) to improve its sorption potential for the mitigation of selected pollutants, i.e., Congo red (CR) dye. By using FTIR, SEM, TGA, and XRD, the newly synthesized biosorbents were characterized. SEM-EDX and FTIR analyses revealed that both biosorbents (CC and CC-Fe3O4) have a porous surface along with various functional groups, which is an indication of an ideal adsorbent for the sorptive removal of pollutants like dyes. The effect of the operating parameters (dye concentration, adsorbent dosage, temperature, contact time, and pH of the dye solution) on the sorption efficacy was studied to identify optimal conditions. The highest percentage of CR removal (99%) was achieved in an acidic medium using 0.6g CC-Fe3O4 composite in 60min at 20°C. Isothermal modeling of the parameter's optimization data proved that the Langmuir model (R = 0.97-0.99) is more able to explain the sorption process than Freundlich indicates the monolayer sorption process. Adsorption kinetics professed that pseudo-second-order rate law effectively represented the ongoing adsorption system. The thermodynamic studies revealed that the sorption process was spontaneous at room temperature as ∆H° was negative. The maximal sorption capacity among the sorbents is 20.66mgg-1 for CC-Fe3O4 composite, which is higher than CC. In conclusion, CC-Fe3O4 composite proved an efficient biosorbent for the mitigation of CR dye from wastewater.

Microplastic contamination in commercial food and drink products and associated risk of potential human intake in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Extensive production and utilization of plastics have resulted in the subsequent accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in the environment, which has become a serious threat to human health globally. Therefore, in this study, 112 drinks and food products were purchased from local markets in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the abundance of MPs was investigated. The dominant size of MPs was 101-250μm for tuna fish, noodles, bottled water, and disposable containers, 251-500μm for honey, tea bags, and sugar, and 501-1000μm for salt, juice, and soft drink samples. FTIR analysis indicated polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, and polyvinylchloride as the major polymer contents. The average total number of MPs was highest in tea bags (615.71 particles teabag-1), followed by sugar (281.01 particles kg-1), honey (197.67 particles kg-1), and salt (147.30 particles kg-1). Consumption of tea bags exhibited the highest risks of daily and annual MPs intake (15.06 particles kg-1 day-1 and 5496.45 particles kg-1 year-1, respectively), followed by bottled water (4.77 particles kg-1 day-1 and 1741.32 particles kg-1 year-1, respectively). Overall, this study provides vital baseline data about MPs contamination in Saudi Arabia. These findings could be used to develop strategies to minimize MPs contamination in food and beverages. Therefore, monitoring MPs in commonly consumed dietary products to avoid adverse impacts of MPs on human health is critically important.

Purification and Immobilization of Burkholderia gladioli Cholesterol Oxidase on Calcium Alginate, with Robust Catalytic Stability for Cholesterol Oxidation In Vitro.

Cholesterol oxidase (COX) is a key enzyme in diagnostic kits of cardiovascular diseases via oxidation of cholesterol producing smart enantiomerically compounds; however, the enzyme catalytic stability is the challenge. So, the objective of this study was to purify COX from novel endophytic bacterial isolates of medicinal plants that could have unique catalytic efficiency for the desired applications. Among the recovered forty bacterial isolates, Burkholderia gladioli EFBL PQ721377, an endophyte of Eruca sativa, had the highest COX productivity (14.7μmol/mg/min). The COX productivity of B. gladioli has been maximized by with the response surface methodology, giving the highest productivity 30.9μmol/mg/min, by ~ 2.0-fold increment compared to control. The enzyme was purified to its molecular homogeneity with subunit structure 40kDa. The enzyme was entrapped in Ca-alginate with immobilization yield 87.5%, and the efficiency and homogeneity in Ca-alginate beads were assessed by FTIR and SEM-EDX analyses. The free and Ca-alginate-COX conjugates have the same maximum reaction temperature at 37-40°C, reaction pH at 7.5 and pH stability at 6.5-8.0. The thermal stability of Ca-alginate-COX was increased by ~ 7.0 folds compared to the free one, ensuring the protective role of alginate beads on enzyme tertiary structure. Ca-alginate-COX had a higher potency of oxidation of human serum cholesterol, than the free one, confirming the feasibility of the product release, and allosteric activation of the enzyme, with a reliable operative stability till the fifth cycle, for production of cholest-4-en-3-one, as the precursor of various drugs.

Metabolomic profiling of paper board sludge biochar for agricultural use.

The pulp and paperboard industries are the major industrial sector that consumes significant amounts of fresh water and generates large volumes of wastewater. The treatment of this wastewater resulted in the production of a substantial amount of sludge, which posed serious environmental challenges. This study explored a sustainable solution by converting PBS into biochar through slow pyrolysis of temperatures up to ≤ 500°C, offering an alternative approach to waste management and resource conservation. The physicochemical parameters of paper board sludge biochar (PBSB) exhibited a neutral pH of 7.49, electrical conductivity of 0.09 dS m-1, organic carbon of 38.12% and CaCO3 of 24.5%. Proximate analysis of PBSB revealed an increased fixed carbon of 76.43%, total organic carbon (TOC) of 7.13%, and reduced volatile matter and moisture levels. The TGA analysis of the dried paperboard sludge sample showed a 20% mass reduction when heated to 350°C. During this process, more than 90% of the volatile components were removed.. The micro nutrients viz., Fe 5.06mg L-1, Mn 419.3mg L-1, Cu 26.3mg L-1, and Zn 66.1mg L-1 contents were observed in PBSB. FT-IR analysis identified the presence of various carbon-containing functional groups, including C-Cl, C-N, C-C, H-C = O, C-H, and -C≡C-H, indicating substantial chemical transformations during pyrolysis. SEM-EDX analysis revealed that PBSB has fine particle size and a coarse fluffy spongy porous structure ideal for water adsorption. Elemental analysis (XRD) showed high carbon and oxygen content with significant amounts of aluminosilicates, carbonates, and nutrients like phosphorus and potassium, suggesting PBSB as a potential slow-release fertilizer. This research highlights the potential of biochar derived from paperboard waste as a sustainable solution for waste management and resource recovery.

Activating Organic Electrode for Zinc Batteries via Adjusting Solvation Structure of Zn Ions.

Zinc-organic batteries, combining the low cost and high capacity of Zn anodes with the tunable and sustainable properties of organic cathodes, have garnered significant attention. Herein, we present a zinc-organic battery featuring a poly(benzoquinonyl sulfide) (PBQS) cathode, a Zn anode, and anN,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)-based electrolyte, which delivers a high capacity (200 mAh g-1), excellent rate capability, and an ultra-long cycle life (10,000 cycles) when tested with a low PBQS loading (2 mg cm-2). The charge storage mechanism in the PBQS cathode involves solvated Zn2+ adsorption and consequent Zn2+ coordination with PBQS companied by de-solvation process, as confirmed by in-situ FT-IR analysis. However, sluggish Zn2+ de-solvation leads to a loss of Zn2+ coordination capacity when tested with higher PBQS loading (8 mg cm-2) even at a low current density of 0.2 A g-1. Remarkably, the addition of 2% H2O to the DMF electrolyte incorporates 0.24 H2O into the primary solvation sheath of Zn2+, significantly facilitating the de-solvation process. As a result, the PBQS cathode (8 mg cm-2) retains its Zn2+ storage capacity when using the modified electrolyte. This approach offers a new strategy for improving the rate performance of organic electrodes, complementing existing conductivity enhancements.

Isolation and Characterisation of Acid Soluble Collagens and Pepsin Soluble Collagens from Eel (Anguilla japonica Temminck et Schlegel) Skin and Bone

Eel (Anguilla japonica) is an important and valuable food fish in East Asia and its by-products have been reported to include bioactive and profitable components. This study aimed to extract, characterise, and compare the structure and properties of acid-soluble collagens (ASCs) and pepsin-soluble collagens (PSCs) from the skin and bone of eel (Anguilla japonica), providing insights into their composition, structure, and properties for various applications. The yields of ASC-S (from skin), PSC-S (from skin), ASC-B (from bone), and PSC-B (from bone) were 12.16%, 15.54%, 0.79%, and 1.34% on a dry weight basis, respectively. Glycine, the dominant amino acid, accounted for 16.66% to 22.67% of total amino acids in all samples. SDS-PAGE and FTIR analyses showed the typical triple-helical structure of type I collagen with slight variations in molecular order in extract and intermolecular cross-linking between skin and bone collagens. The denaturation temperature (Tmax1) measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is 81.39 °C and 74.34 °C, respectively, for ASC-B and ASC-S. Bone collagen has higher thermal resistance than skin collagen. Surface morphology imaged using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that the bone collagen had a denser network structure, whilst the skin collagen was more fibrous and porous. The findings suggest that eel-derived collagens from skin and bone can serve as potential alternatives in the food, cosmetic, and healthcare industries.

Geopolymers Manufactured by the Alkali Activation of Mining and Ceramic Wastes Using a Potential Sustainable Activator from Olive Stone Bottom Ashes

The reuse of by-products as alternative raw materials to traditional construction materials is required in order to ensure sustainable development in the construction sector and is a significant and important focus in the fields of materials science. This study developed geopolymers using by-products from mining, ceramics, and olive industries, including slate stone cutting sludge (SSCS) and chamotte (CH) as aluminosilicate sources, and olive biomass bottom ash (OSBA) as an alkaline activator with sodium silicate. A key novelty of the research lies in the use of SSCS, an underexplored by-product in geopolymerization studies, as a viable aluminosilicate source. The geopolymers were prepared with varying weight ratios of SSCS, CH, and OSBA/Na₂SiO₃ (1.7, 1.9, 2.2, and 2.4). Physical and mechanical tests determined the optimal formulation, while FTIR and SEM analyses revealed the material’s chemical and structural evolution. The FTIR analysis detected the quartz and carbonate phases, indicating incomplete quartz dissolution and carbonate formation during calcination. The SEM analysis revealed a dense microstructure with reduced porosity and enhanced geopolymerization in samples with higher OSBA content. The optimal geopolymer (60% OSBA, 30% CH, OSBA/Na₂SiO₃ ratio of 2.2) achieved a compressive strength of 33.1 MPa after 28 days. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of producing geopolymers using SSCS, CH, and OSBA, promoting the reuse of industrial by-products as sustainable alternatives to conventional binders.

Fabrication and characterization approach to enhance the mechanical performance of zirconia‐coated Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes reinforced High density polyethylene composites

AbstractThis study presents a comprehensive investigation into the fabrication and characterization of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) composites reinforced with zirconia (ZrO2)‐coated multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). HDPE, a widely used polymer for pressure pipe applications, was selected for its superior mechanical properties, while ZrO2‐coated MWCNTs were employed as nanofillers to enhance these properties further. The acid functionalization of MWCNTs, followed by the application of a ZrO2 coating, was executed to ensure optimal dispersion and interfacial bonding within the HDPE matrix. The functionalized MWCNTs (f‐MWCNTs) were synthesized via an acid treatment process using 8 M HNO3, which significantly eased agglomeration and facilitated a stable ZrO2 coating. Subsequent hydrothermal processing at 200°C for 18 h yielded uniformly coated MWCNTs. These nanofillers were then melt‐blended with HDPE, followed by injection molding. Mechanical testing revealed substantial enhancements in the tensile, flexural, and hardness properties of the composites. The tensile strength exhibited a marked increase, peaking at a 3 wt.% ZrO2‐coated MWCNT concentration, with a 50% improvement over pristine HDPE. Flexural modulus and hardness values also saw significant increments, with the highest enhancements recorded at 4 wt.% filler content. Impact testing showed improved toughness, although excessive filler loading led to diminished returns due to nanoparticle aggregation. FTIR and XRD analyses supported the successful integration of ZrO2‐coated MWCNTs within the HDPE matrix, highlighting the presence of characteristic peaks associated with both MWCNTs and HDPE. These findings provide the potential of ZrO2‐coated MWCNTs as effective nanofillers in enhancing the mechanical performance of HDPE composites, making suitable for advanced engineering applications.Highlights Coating of ZrO2 on MWCNTs using Hydrothermal method. Melt blending of ZrO2 coated MWCNT with HDPE using twin‐screw extruder. Preparation of samples through injection molding as per ASTM standard. Mechanical properties and characterization analysis of the composite.

Production Optimization and Potential Bioactivities of Biosurfactant from PET Surface-Dwelling Oligotrophic Bacillus sp. EIKU23.

The growing demand for efficient biosurfactants in various industrial sectors has driven the search for sustainable alternatives, enhanced production methods, and low-cost substrates. This study aimed to optimize the production, characterize, and assess the bioactivities of biosurfactants produced by an oligotrophic PET plastic-associated Bacillus sp. EIKU23. The bacterium yielded the highest amount of biosurfactant after 6days of incubation in Luria broth medium (pH 7.0) at 30°C without any additives. FTIR and NMR analyses confirmed the lipopeptide nature of the biosurfactant, which exhibited a negative charge. The biosurfactant remained stable at 4°C-80°C and pH 7.0-8.0 for at least 7days. It exhibited antioxidant properties comparable to the ascorbic acid standard, with efficacy ranging from 23.61% to 89.96% in different antioxidant assays. It showed antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative potential pathogens. The biosurfactant induced substantial DNA leakage at a concentration of 10mg/mL and eradicated approximately 48.4% of pre-formed Staphylococcus aureus biofilm and showed anti-attachment behaviour to a polystyrene surface. Additionally, the biosurfactant precipitated up to 98.7% uranium from an aqueous solution, demonstrating its potential for bioremediation. These findings suggest that the biosurfactant produced by Bacillus sp. EIKU23 is multifunctional with promising applications in bioremediation, antibacterial activity, antibiofilm formation, and antioxidant defense, offering a novel solution for sustainable industrial practices and plastic waste management.

Waste newspaper activation by sodium phosphate for adsorption dynamics of methylene blue

Abstract This study investigates the potential of using waste newspaper (WN) as an adsorbent for removing methylene blue (MB) dye from water, emphasizing the environmental benefits of repurposing waste materials. Activated carbon (AC) was synthesized from WN using sodium phosphate (NaH2PO4) as the activating agent, which is known for producing high mesopore content and requiring relatively low activation temperatures. The activated carbon’s physicochemical properties were thoroughly characterized using techniques such as FTIR, SEM, and surface area analysis based on the Brunner-Emmett-Teller (BET) theory. The specific surface area of AC was 917 m2/g. Continuous adsorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficiency of the synthesized activated carbon in a dynamic flow system. Various operating conditions, including initial dye concentration, influent flow rate, and bed height, were explored to optimize the adsorption process. This study applied the Yoon-Nelson, Thomas, Adams-Bohart and modified Logistic models to analyze the breakthrough curves and predict adsorption capacities. Results demonstrated that the AC exhibited high adsorption capacity (14.7 mg/g), particularly at lower flow rates and higher bed heights. This work offers valuable insights into sustainable wastewater treatment methods, showcasing the effectiveness of using low-cost, waste-derived activated carbon for dye removal in industrial applications.

Cost-effective adsorption of cationic dyes using ZnO nanorods supported by orange peel-derived carbon.

Here, porous carbon (PC) and ZnO nanorods@PC (ZnO-NR@PC) composite derived from orange peel (OP) have been synthesized via a simple carbonization process. The prepared materials have been characterized by XRD, FT-IR, TEM, and BET analysis. The adsorptive properties of the prepared PC and ZnO-NR@PC composite have been investigated toward methylene blue (MB) and crystal violet (CV) cationic dyes from their aqueous solutions. The adsorption studies concluded that the maximum adsorption efficiency was achieved after 90min in the basic conditions (pH = 10). Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R), and Temkin non-linear isotherm models were applied to fit the experimental data. The adsorption of MB and CV dyes by the OP is fitted with the Freundlich model, and the adsorption of both dyes by the PC and the ZnO-NR@PC composite fitted with the Langmuir model. The estimated maximum adsorption capacity estimated from the adsorption of MB and CV by the ZnO-NR@PC composite was 74.45 and 74.89mg/g, respectively. The calculated adsorption free energy from D-R and Temkin models indicates the adsorption of MB, and CV dye molecules by the OP, PC, and ZnO-NR@PC composite may be physical. The kinetic studies revealed the adsorption of MB and CV dyes onto the OP, PC and ZnO-NR@PC composite fitted with the pseudo-second-order model. On the otherhand, the thermodynamic studies confirmed the adsorption of MB, and CV dyes onto ZnO-NR@PC composite is an endothermic and spontaneous process. Furthermore, the prepared materials displayed high adsorption stability with an overall removal efficiency of about 90% after five cycles. The mechanism of MB and CV dyes by the ZnO-NR@PC composite is proposed to be controlled by electrostatic bonding, π-π interactions, and ion exchange. The results indicated the potential ability of OP-derived porous carbons as adsorbents for cationic dyes from aqueous media.

Adsorptive removal of nickel from waste water using synthesized sodium alginate encapsulated magnetic graphene oxide nanoadsorbent from Strychnous Potatorum seeds

The present study investigated the synthesis of sodium alginate encapsulated magnetic graphene oxide (SAMGO) beads from Strychnous Potatorum seeds. The synthesized SAMGO beads were investigated for adsorptive removal of nickel from aqueous solution. The synthesized SAMGO beads were characterized for surface morphology, functional groups, magnetic property and phase identification using SEM, FT-IR, VSM and XRD analysis. The optimization process involving the SAMGO beads for adsorptive removal of nickel resulted in maximum removal rate under the conditions of contact time – 15 min, SAMGO bead dose – 10 mg/50 mL of solution, nickel ion concentration – 50 mg/L, pH-9 and temperature of 30 °C. Adsorption of nickel onto SAMGO beads was well studied by pseudo-second-order kinetic studies. Also, the adsorption equilibrium study was well fitted towards Freundlich isotherm ( R2 = 0.99). The findings from the regeneration studies demonstrated that the selected desorbing agents, 0.5 M HCl and 0.5 M EDTA were well-suited for desorption. After five experimental cycles, the desorption efficiency decreased by only 10.93% and 7.76% using 0.5 M HCl and 0.5 M EDTA, respectively indicating that the SAMGO beads for reusability. The synthesized SAMGO beads have shown potential to reuse, nontoxic green adsorbent with maximum removal rate.

Amphora coffeiformis extracellular polymeric substances and their potential applications in lead removal.

Microorganisms producing extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are of great potential in numerous environmental applications. The present study explores the production and properties of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from Amphora coffeiformis diatom strain and their potential applications in environmental remediation. EPS were composed of a complex mixture of polysaccharides, proteins, humic substances and nucleic acids, with polyanionic characteristics as revealed by FTIR, Raman and zeta potential analyses. EPS showed high flocculation efficiency against kaolin clay at low dosages (5mg/L) through a charge neutralization mechanism involving both polysaccharides and proteins. EPS also exhibited strong emulsification activity for various nonpolar substrates, mainly olive oil, corn oil, soybean oil, essence and diesel, with emulsification indexes above 80%. The emulsions were stable for 72h under different NaCl concentrations (1-10% w/v). Moreover, EPS demonstrated remarkable adsorption capacity for lead, reaching a maximum of 1699.33 ± 89.61mg/g under optimized conditions using Box-Behnken design. The adsorption mechanism involved multiple functional groups such as hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, phosphoric and sulfhydryl. Therefore, EPS from A. coffeiformis are a promising candidate for restoring environments contaminated by heavy metals.

Studying the impact of chitosan salicylaldehyde/schiff base/CuFe2O4 in PC3 cells via theoretical studies and inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling

In this elucidation, the nucleophilic attack of salicyladehyde with chitosan, which was obtained from the shrimp shell, afforded the cellulose aldehyde (Schiff base), and then the dispersion of CuFe2O4 on the surface of cellulose aldehyde gave the novel nanomaterial of bimetallic oxide, which was confirmed through spectral analysis such as FT-IR, NMR, SEM, and XRD analysis. Moreover, the anti-proliferative effect of chitosan, chitosan salicylaldehyde, and chitosan salicylaldehyde/CuFe2O4 was evaluated in PC3 human prostate cancer cells and HSF normal human skin fibroblasts. After 48 h, PC3 cell proliferation was significantly inhibited by chitosan salicylaldehyde/CuFe2O4 and chitosan salicylaldehyde (IC50 = 35.3 and 45.55 µg/ml, respectively) without any effects on normal HSF cells. The mRNA expression levels of PI3K, AKT, mTOR, and CCND1 were examined in PC3-treated cells by using QRT-PCR, and the results demonstrated that, by down-regulating the expression levels of these genes, chitosan salicylaldehyde/CuFe2O4 significantly affected prostate cancer cell proliferation, progression, and autophagy more than chitosan salicylaldehyde. Furthermore, the docking stimulation of the chitosan derivatives with different proteins showed the presence of CuFe2O4 particles effect on the interaction inside their pockets and increased the activities, and it’s related to biological evaluation. Additionally, the theoretical investigation of these chitosan derivatives and the determination of their physical descriptors showed the activity of bimetallic oxide and the presence of electrostatic hydrogen bond interaction. Finally, these findings may suggest that chitosan salicylaldehyde/CuFe2O4 has a promising anticancer impact against prostate cancer.

Effect of NiO Nanofiller on P(VdC‐Co‐AN) With PEG Polymer Blend Electrolyte for Energy Storage Applications

ABSTRACTSolid‐state polymer electrolytes with safety and high energy density are promising novel options for energy storage devices. Nevertheless, the low ionic conductivity and limited mobility of lithium ions at room temperature have significantly impeded their practical application. A flexible composite polymer electrolyte was fabricated using a solution casting method. This electrolyte consisted of a polymer blend of poly (vinylidene chloride‐co‐acrylonitrile) (PVdC‐co‐AN) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), incorporated with lithium perchlorate (LiClO4) as salt, propylene carbonate (PC) as plasticizer, and nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles as filler. The electrolyte is prepared by the various concentrations of NiO nanoparticles (Nps) (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt.%). The prepared NiO is confirmed by the XRD analysis, and the incorporation of NiO in the polymer blend also determined. The polymer salt plasticizer and filler interactions are confirmed by the FTIR analysis. At room temperature, the sample containing 15% of NiO has a high ionic conductivity value of up to 10−3 S cm−1. The electrochemical and also thermal stability of this electrolyte is achieved at 4.8 V and 312°C. The mechanical stability is enhanced up to 29 MPa. The remarkable performance enhancement is attributed to the incorporation of NiO, which facilitated improved ionic conductivity, mechanical properties, and compatibility for energy storage applications.

Electrolysis of Liquefied Biomass for Sustainable Hydrogen and Organic Compound Production: A Biorefinery Approach

Liquefaction is an effective thermochemical process for converting lignocellulosic biomass into bio-oil, a hydrocarbon-rich resource. This study explores liquefied biomass electrolysis as a novel method to promote the electrocracking of organic molecules into value-added compounds while simultaneously producing hydrogen (H2). Key innovations include utilizing water from the liquefaction process as an electrolyte component to minimize industrial waste and incorporating carbon dioxide (CO2) into the process to enhance decarbonization efforts and generate valuable byproducts. The electrolysis process was optimized by adding 2 M KOH, and voltammetric methods were employed to analyze the resulting emulsion. The experimental conditions, such as the temperature, anode material, current type, applied cell voltage, and CO2 bubbling, were systematically evaluated. Direct current electrolysis at 70 °C using nickel electrodes produced 55 mL of H2 gas with the highest Faradaic (43%) and energetic (39%) efficiency. On the other hand, pulsed electrolysis at room temperature generated a higher H2 gas volume (102 mL) but was less efficient, showing 30% Faradaic and 11% energetic efficiency. FTIR analysis revealed no significant functional group changes in the electrolyte post-electrolysis. Additionally, the solid deposits formed at the anode had an ash content of 36%. This work demonstrates that electrocracking bio-oil is a clean, sustainable approach to H2 production and the synthesis of valuable organic compounds, offering significant potential for biorefinery applications.