Economic Approach Research Articles

Sustainable Economic Development: Theory of Institutional Constructivism

The paper is devoted to the formulation of the problem of sustainable development of the intellectual economy and the use of the theory of constructivism in relation to solving the problems of institutional design of socio-economic systems. The purpose of this work is to explore the possibilities of applying the theory of constructivism to solve the problems of institutional design in the context of sustainable development of the intellectual economy. The author of the work proceeds from the need for a reasonable approach to action, which creates the basis for constructing an institutional environment, the source of which is the paradigm of self-organization of socio-economic systems, which underlies the theory and practice of radical constructivism. The study shows the links between sustainable development and the theory of institutional constructivism by identifying important goals, directions, and strategies. Based on the awareness of current global and national processes, the key issue is the transition to an innovative type of development. This transition involves important steps that involve changing the focus from traditional approaches in economics and production to strategies based on advanced technologies. This research is conducted by researchers, policymakers, and practitioners dealing with economic development, sustainability, and innovation.

The standard form under pressure? On the ecological reconfiguration of product presentation using the example of consumables

Abstract This article provides a framework for analyzing valorizations and justifications for ecologically sustainable everyday products. By drawing on theoretical arguments from the French neo pragmatist approach of economics of conventions, especially the idea of enrichment, we develop a typology of valorizations that distinguishes between analytic and narrative presentations. A qualitative empirical analysis of green alternatives to standard consumables, such as coffee, textiles or hygiene products, is used to help explain the strategies by which sustainable products are placed and marketed. We state that sustainable product presentations use a range of established forms of valorization that also affects the justification of their often-higher prices. We conclude that the standard form of consumables comes under pressure while capitalist actors appear to incorporate the growing ecologic critique with a set of ecologic enrichments.

Joining the ideational and the material: transforming food systems toward radical food democracy

This paper presents a conceptualization of radical food democracy (RFD) which links the diverse economies approach of Gibson-Graham with Tully’s notion of diverse citizenship. Despite its invaluable contribution to theorizing the role of alternative food networks (AFNs) in transforming unsustainable industrial food systems, the diverse economies scholarship has been criticized for essentializing the autonomy of alternative economic practices—hence risking to confound emancipatory social change with punctuated forms of “local,” “quality,” “organic certified” products, which nevertheless remain embedded in market-mediated capitalist relations, and displacement and/or deferral of negative impacts. This paper aims to address such critiques, contending that the realization of RFD requires both (1) the experimentation with new economic practices that carve out food economies alternative to the working logic of capital accumulation, and (2) the cultivation of new political subjects capable of universalizing these particular struggles. After situating various existing practices associated with food democracy in a framework of various modes of democratic citizenship, we underpin our understanding of RFD with a theory of change informed by Bob Jessop’s strategic-relational approach to social structures, agents’ reflexive actions, and their contingency. Following a critical scientific approach to the social role of academics, this theoretical framework is illustrated using a case study from Germany. The empirical work draws on participant observation and semi-structured interviews with leaders of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) cooperatives and Food Policy Council (FPC) networks conducted in Cologne, Berlin, and Frankfurt in 2018–2020. To conclude, this paper argues that the emancipatory potential of food democracy should cultivate both lighthouse alternative economic practices that are connected with people’s everyday lives, and political imagination that dares to critically engage with existing institutions. Likewise, RFD praxis requires a constant back and forth between the ideational and the practical, the abstract and the concrete, the actionable and the analytical, to challenge both the symbolic-discursive and the material dimensions of capitalist agri-food systems.

Highly efficient SnS2‐based photocatalyst: A green approach to biodiesel production

AbstractBiodiesel, a promising alternative to traditional petroleum fuels, is a green energy solution. Photocatalysis is a facile, novel, economic, and efficient approach to biodiesel synthesis. Metal sulfides have been used extensively for various photocatalytic applications. The present study demonstrates, for the first time, the photocatalytic production of biodiesel using a novel metal sulfide‐based heterogeneous photocatalyst under visible light irradiation.A nano zero‐valent silver doped hydroxyapatite (Ag/HAp) was synthesized using a green bio‐reductant technique and decorated with tin sulfide nanoparticles (SnS2/Ag/HAp or SAH) for photocatalytic biodiesel synthesis. The hydroxyapatite (HAp) was extracted from waste fish scales to minimize the use of chemicals and to utilize waste for useful applications. The prepared SAH photocatalyst was characterized through X‐ray diffraction, UV‐visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared analysis, energy dispersive X‐ray analysis, scanning electron microscopy, high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The effect of reaction parameters was optimized, and under optimum conditions of 1 wt% photocatalyst loading, and 8:1 methanol‐to‐oleic‐acid ratio, for 60 min, a high yield of 98.0 ± 0.61% could be achieved using a SAH photocatalyst.Scavenger tests indicated the simultaneous generation of photoinduced electrons and holes necessary for photocatalytic biodiesel synthesis. A mechanism for the photocatalytic esterification reaction of oleic acid is proposed. The synthesized SnS2‐based photocatalyst could be easily recoverable and reusable for five consecutive runs, which can replace traditional industrial heterogeneous catalysts in the near future.

Sea Urchin Food Waste into Bioactives: Collagen and Polyhydroxynaphtoquinones from P. lividus and S. granularis

Approximately 75,000 tons of different sea urchin species are globally harvested for their edible gonads. Applying a circular economy approach, we have recently demonstrated that non-edible parts of the Mediterranean Sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus can be fully valorized into high-value products: antioxidant pigments (polyhydroxynaphthoquinones—PHNQs) and fibrillar collagen can be extracted to produce innovative biomaterials for biomedical applications. Can waste from other edible sea urchin species (e.g., Sphaerechinus granularis) be similarly valorised? A comparative study on PHNQs and collagen extraction was conducted. PHNQ extraction yields were compared, pigments were quantified and identified, and antioxidant activities were assessed (by ABTS assay) and correlated to specific PHNQ presence (i.e., spinochrome E). Similarly, collagen extraction yields were evaluated, and the resulting collagen-based biomaterials were compared in terms of their ultrastructure, degradation kinetics, and resistance to compression. Results showed a partially similar PHNQ profile in both species, with significantly higher yield in P. lividus, while S. granularis exhibited better antioxidant activity. P. lividus samples showed higher collagen extraction yield, but S. granularis scaffolds showed higher stability. In conclusion, waste from different species can be successfully valorised through PHNQ and collagen extraction, offering diverse applications in the biomedical field, according to specific technical requirements.

Https://armgpublishing.com/journals/sec/volume-8-issue-1/article-5/

In the 21st century, various socio-economic crises have revealed that traditional economic science and (neo)classical thinking are unable to explain all the complexity of current economic problems, therefore the application of more complex and non-trivial economic concepts is gaining relevance. In addition to behavioral and evolutionary economic thinking, models of quantum economics have been developed in recent years, which allow solving economic problems, using mainly quantum thinking and the principles of quantum physics, in particular particle-wave dualism, the principle of uncertainty, the absence of a subject-object distinction, superposition and confusion. The article addresses 3 research questions (RQ). According to RQ1, the paper finds that quantum economics research is dominated by the following topics: quantum economics, quantum finance, quantum decision making, and quantum game theory. According to these four thematic descriptors, the article carries out a systematic modern review of scientific works in the period from 1978 to 2022 (if only 50 works were published in 1978-1999, then in 2000-2022 already 3430), with an emphasis on the most cited (Google Scholar) English-language journal articles. The analysis showed that articles on this topic are published mainly in journals of a non-economic profile, that the peaks of publication activity occur at times of powerful socio-economic upheavals (for example, the dot.com bubble, the substandard/financial crisis, the European debt crisis, the coronavirus pandemic, etc.). In accordance with RQ2, the article defines the key characteristics of the quantum economic model: in contrast to neoclassical economics (based on mechanistic classical physics, is rational and deterministic, with the help of the invisible hand of the market it leads to a stable equilibrium), the quantum approach, on the contrary, considers the economy as more complex, empirically oriented, uncertain, probabilistic, superpositional, as an archetypal example of a quantum social system that has its own versions of duality, measurement, and entanglement. According to RQ 3, the article determines to what extent quantum economics can update (neo)classical economics (integration of new ontological premises into economic thinking, more experimental and practical approach, connection between the concept of entanglement and sustainable development, management of financial risks based on the concept of quantum probability, rethinking the concept of randomness by quantum probability, introduction of quantum money, equilibrium using quantum games, etc.).

Al/ZnO nanoparticle as an effective nanocarrier in delivery of lenalidomide anti-multiple myeloma cancer drug

ABSTRACT Lenalidomide is a key drug in multiple myeloma. Moreover, Al-ZnO has garnered significant attention due to its distinct physicochemical characteristics. This investigation introduces an economic approach for fabrication and characterization of Al-ZnO nanoparticles by SEM, TEM, FT-IR, XPS, UV-VIS, EDS, and XRD techniques. Subsequently, the research explored capacity of the created nanostructure to serve as a nanocarrier for Lenalidomide. Findings indicated an approximate 71% drug loading capacity that is dependent on pH and duration time. The release profile depicted a gradual release under physiological conditions (pH 7.4, 28%), contrasting with a notably accelerated release rate at pH 6.2 (78%) in 48 h. Furthermore, an in vitro assessment of cellular cytotoxicity performed on U266 multiple myeloma cancer cell line to evaluate safety and effectiveness of Al-ZnO nanoparticles. Results from MTT assay affirmed the potential of this nanoparticle as a promising vehicle for Lenalidomide delivery.

Assessing microbially mediated vivianite as a novel phosphorus and iron fertilizer

BackgroundMicroorganisms can transform phosphorus (P)-enriched iron (Fe)-oxide sludge into products with higher P concentration or can directly promote the precipitation of P-rich compounds from water. However, there is no evidence of these products’ efficiency as fertilizers. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of microbially mediated vivianite (biovivianite) as P and Fe  fertilizer for durum wheat and white lupin, respectively.ResultsTo this end, two completely randomized block experiments were conducted with wheat (phosphorus (P) experiment) and white lupin (iron (Fe) experiment). The P and Fe sources used included biovivianite produced by microbial reduction of P-containing ferrihydrite at pH 6.5 (VivInsol6.5) and pH 7.0 (VivInsol7.0), biovivianite produced with soluble Fe(III) citrate (C6H5FeO7) in the presence of soluble phosphate at pH 7 (VivSol), and vivianite from a commercial company (ComViv). Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) was used as a reference fertilizer in the P experiment, and Fe-EDDHA and Fe(II)-sulfate (FeSO4.7H2O) were used in the Fe experiment. Total P uptake by wheat plants from the product dominated by vivianite and phosphate-green rust (VivSol) was not significantly different from KH2PO4. The relative P use efficiency, i.e., the equivalence in terms of P recovery of VivSol was 74% of KH2PO4, making VivSol the effective P source for durum wheat among the products tested (aside from KH2PO4). For Fe uptake, product dominated by vivianite and metavivianite (VivInsol7.0), was the most effective Fe source for white lupin followed by Fe-EDDHA, ComViv, and VivSol with VivInsol6.5 as the least effective but without significant differences with Fe(II)-sulfate. The average crystallite sizes of the biovivianite were 59 nm, 63 nm, and 66 nm for VivSol, VivInsol7.0, and VivInsol6.5, respectively.ConclusionsThe mineral constituents of the biovivianite coupled with their nano-crystallite sizes explained its effectiveness as P and Fe fertilizers. The results reveal that biovivianite production is a novel way of producing efficient P and Fe fertilizers from P-enriched Fe sludge or P-rich water. Thus, it can be used for producing fertilizers with high P and Fe concentrations from water purification, providing new tools for a circular economy approach in the use of a non-renewable resource such as P.Graphical

Water Flows in Vilcanota river basin (Cuzco, Peru): An approach to value from ecological economics

In the last decade, the Vilcanota River sub-basin (Cusco, Peru) has shown high water vulnerability due to climate change and anthropogenic pressures typical of the economic model. In a context of pandemic and ecological crisis, addressing the complexity of the value of water becomes pertinent in order to overcome the exclusive use of mechanisms to calculate monetary value or sustain environmental governance based on cost-benefit analysis. The main objective of the study was to analyze water consumption rates in the Vilcanota River sub-basin to integrate management with a vision from ecological economics. To do this, the dynamic factors, impacts and responses of water governance were analyzed, and the problem of value was addressed through the analysis of hydrological flows with the ecological economy approach. A high consumption of the household sector was found (urban: 265151.71 m3/h, rural: 163087.50 m3/h), mainly due to urban expansion, change in land use and other local problems in a mainly agricultural area. where an analysis of the social metabolism in the Vilcanota River sub-basin and the inclusion of complexity management in environmental public policy is necessary.

Public Service Media in Northern Ireland: Prominence and Vulnerability in a Small Media System

Public Service Media remains at the centre of the public sphere in Northern Ireland. Public Service Media organisations such as the BBC broadcast in a society that remains politically and culturally divided. This has been the case for decades, even if the worst of the violence in Northern Ireland has now dissipated. The Northern Ireland media system includes local media provision, along with provision from the rest of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. This article identifies Northern Ireland’s media system as sharing characteristics with what Puppis (2009) defines as a small media system, under slightly different conditions. This article takes a Critical Political Economy approach to Public Service Media organisations operating in Northern Ireland, in order to argue that while there is prominence in the place of PSM in the media system, there is also vulnerability inherent.

Reinforcement learning for optimizing real-time interventions and personalized feedback using wearable sensors

Many countries have seen a steady increase in lifetime duration through the past many years as a result of notable advancements in ecological and individual cleanliness, general health, including healthcare. Hence, it is anticipated that rising life duration and declining birth levels will result in a sizable aging population in the foreseeable future, placing a heavy strain on such nations' societal structures. For the benefit of senior medical and wellness, it is crucial to create affordable, user-friendly technologies. Older people can remain in their cozy homes rather than costly medical centers due to mobile health surveillance, which depends upon portable, non-intrusive devices, and actuators, as well as contemporary interaction and data innovations. It is an operational and economical approach. This work investigates how electronic devices can be used to optimize in-the-moment actions and deliver customized feedback using reinforced learning. By utilizing the information obtained from such sensors, the suggested structure dynamically modifies solutions according to each individual's reaction, increasing the efficacy of customized input. The reinforced method of learning optimizes the course of action for a variety of circumstances by interactively improving its tactics. By introducing an innovative strategy to improve immediate responses and provide customized input, this study advances the nascent field of wireless technologies as well as artificial learning and eventually raises the effectiveness of customized healthcare and well-being apps.

Pendayagunaan Dana Zakat, Infaq, dan Shodaqoh Melalui Pemberdayaan Program Layanan Kesehatan: Studi Kasus Padalembaga Kesehatan Madani Rumah Sehat Madani Yayasan Dompet Sosial Madani Provinsi Bali

The use of Zakat, Infaq and Sadaqah (ZIS) through the Madani Social Wallet in Bali plays a strategic role in alleviating poverty, increasing social welfare and building a sustainable community economy. Dompet Social Madani as the manager of ZIS is responsible for collecting, distributing and using funds effectively in accordance with Islamic Sharia principles. The use of ZIS in Bali is carried out through several stages starting from identifying mustahik, raising funds to implementing empowerment programs. Mustahik is the main beneficiary of ZIS distribution which includes the poor, orphans, widows and other vulnerable groups. Transparency and accountability in reporting fund management are important foundations for building public and donor trust in Dompet Social Madani. Madani Bali Social Wallet also integrates an economic empowerment approach in ZIS management. The empowerment program includes vocational training, support and business capital so that mustahik can be economically independent. In addition, part of the ZIS funds are allocated for the development of social infrastructure, such as building schools and other public facilities, to provide long-term benefits for the community. Collaboration with government, the private sector and other organizations is essential to increase the positive impact of ZIS. This collaboration optimizes resources and increases the efficiency of program implementation. Public education about the importance of zakat, infaq and shadaqah is also an integral part of the Bali Madani Social Wallet's efforts to expand reach and increase community awareness and involvement. One form of utilizing ZIS through the Madani Social Wallet in Bali is by establishing a Madani Health Institution which is realized in the form of a Madani Healthy House by not only collecting funds for aid, but also providing health services directly to the poor and underprivileged.

Evaluating the spatiotemporal dynamics of ecosystem service values in response to land use/land cover change in Goang watershed, Northwest Ethiopia

Evaluating the impacts of land use/land cover (LULC) change on ecosystem service values (ESVs) is critical for understanding the implications of land use change on human well-being, identifying trade-offs and synergies between different ecosystem services, monitoring changes in ecosystem health, and informing decisions for land use planning and conservation efforts. As a result, this study aimed to examine the effects of these changes on ESVs during the last four decades (1984–2022) and predicted periods of 2040 and 2060 by utilizing a combination of geoinformation, and economic evaluation approaches. The modified ecosystem service value (ESV) coefficients were used to estimate the influence of LULC change on ESVs. The result revealed that overall ESV has declined from US$390 × 106 in 1984 to US$273.21 × 106 in 2060. However, the effects on various ecosystem services varied, with certain services, such as crop production, pollination, and biological control, increasing in value. These findings also emphasized the necessity of evaluating the implications of land use decisions on ecosystem services and it depicted that it may be possible to retain or improve certain services even in the face of overall declines in total ESVs. Subsequently, the findings of this study, therefore, give important insights for policymakers, land managers, and local people for devising appropriate land use policies and land use plans as well as realizing, and implementing sustainable land use practices that ensure the provision of essential ecosystem services for future generations.

Enhanced photocatalytic activity of α-Fe2O3/MgO nanocomposites for environmental sustainability

The goal of this study is to identify the optical, magnetic, and structural properties of α-Fe2O3/MgO & MgO/α-Fe2O3 nanocomposites and use them to purify water contaminated by harmful dyes. The economical hydrothermal approach was utilized to create nanocomposites, resulting in weight ratios of α-Fe2O3: MgO (1:1, 2:1 and 1:2). The synthesized materials containing α-Fe2O3 and MgO phases were identified by XRD pattern. XPS spectra were used to identify lattice defects and oxygen vacancies. The magnetic investigations show that pure α-Fe2O3 has a greater magnetic character than other synthesized materials, with a maximum magnetization of 0.14 × 10−2 emu/gm. In just 90 min, α-Fe2O3/MgO nanocomposites degrade Rose Bengal dye by 90.01 %, demonstrating their superior photocatalytic activity. The combined action of α-Fe2O3 and MgO, which prevents the formation of highly active radical species (OH• and O2• radicals) and photo-generated charge carrier recombination, is responsible for the increased photocatalytic activity. Furthermore, the magnetic nature of these nanocomposites enables them for the reusability process.

Economic operation of an agent-based virtual storage aggregated residential electric-heating loads in multiple electricity markets

The increasing penetration of intermittent renewable energy sources leads to a higher demand for flexible balancing service in the power system. Consequently, demand-side management techniques, such as utilizing flexible resources from residential electric-heating loads, provide a promising solution. However, due to various uncertainties such as stochastic weather and market prices, it is challenging to develop an economically efficient strategy. Hence, this paper proposes an economic operation optimization approach for residential electric-heating loads to develop optimal bidding and scheduling strategy in the multi-stage market. First, the dynamic characteristics of aggregated electric-heating loads are modeled as the virtual energy storage systems (VESS) to quantify the flexibility potential arising from the combination of building thermal inertia, user tolerance and thermal energy storage (TES). Subsequently, the joint energy and balancing service market is introduced to exploit the operating flexibility of VESS. A multi-agent deep reinforcement learning (MADRL) optimization framework is proposed to address the multi-objective problem at different decision frequency, which involves achieving lower economic costs while maintaining indoor comfort. Finally, we combine the DRL with imitation learning (IL) by introducing the behavior cloning mechanism to mitigate training process instability. It reduces the computational costs and eliminates the need for redundant additional structure. Comparative simulation experiments demonstrate the efficiency of data-driven optimization approach, which provides an adaptive, economic cost-effective and general solution for multi-type aggregators to activate their flexibility in dynamic markets.

Green synthesis of zinc oxide/Allium sativum nano-composite and its efficacy against murine cryptosporidiosis.

Cryptosporidiosis is a global health problem threats life of immunocompromised patients. Allium sativum (A. sativum) is one of the therapeutic options for cryptosporidiosis. This study develops green synthesized ZnO-NPs based on A. sativum extract, and assesses its therapeutic application in treating experimental cryptosporidiosis in immunosuppressed mice. FTIR, scanning electron microscopy, and zeta analyzer were used for characterization of bio ZnO-NPs. The morphology of prepared materials appeared as sponge with many pores on the whole surface that allows the feasibility of bio ZnO-NPs for different biological activities. Its structural analysis was highly stabilized with negative charge surface which indicated for well distribution into the parasite matrix. Twenty-five immunosuppressed Cryptosporidium parvum infected mice, classified into 5 groups were sacrificed at 21th day after infection with evaluation of parasitological, histopathological, oxidative, and proinflammatory biomarkers. Treated mice groups with 50 and 100 mg/kg of AS/ZnO-NPs showed a highly significant decline (79.9% and 83.23%, respectively) in the total number of expelled oocysts. Both doses revealed actual amelioration of the intestinal, hepatic, and pulmonary histopathological lesions. They also significantly produced an increase in GSH values and improved the changes in NO and MDA levels, and showed high anti-inflammatory properties. This study is the first to report green synthesis of ZnO/A. sativum nano-composite as an effective therapy in treating cryptosporidiosis which gave better results than using A. sativum alone. It provides an economical and environment-friendly approach towards novel delivery synthesis for antiparasitic applications. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Green synthesis of ZnO-NPs was developed using A. sativum extract. The morphology of prepared ZnO-NPs appeared as sponge with many pores on SEM The study evaluates its therapeutic efficacy against murine cryptosporidiosis The green synthesized ZnO-NPs significantly reduced percent of oocyst shedding, improved the pathological changes, and showed high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials.

Public management of digitalization into the Spanish tourism services: a heterodox analysis

AbstractThis study is a critical review of public intervention and its management of change with digitalization, applied to Spanish tourism services, as ones of the largest case and most required of attention into the European Union. In comparison with other mainstream papers, this heterodox review is based on the combination of Austrian Economics and Neo-Institutional approaches (Cornucopists), with their common theoretical and methodological frameworks. Thus, it is possible to analyze failures and paradoxes in the public intervention, especially with post-COVID recovery policies. The case of the Spanish tourism sector highlights the effect of double bureaucracy, from European institutions and the Spanish Government, affecting its competitiveness and revealing the confirmation of heterodox theorems. Faced with mainstream public intervention guidelines, which usually involve expansive spending and more debt (and New-Malthusian measures), a heterodox mainline solution is offered here, based on the revival of the original sustainability principle, the readjustment effect and the promotion of geek'n'talent education, to facilitate the transition to the Knowledge Economy, where the tourism sector is capable of offering personalized travel experiences due to digitalization.

Methane production from sugarcane vinasse: The alkalinizing potential of fermentative-sulfidogenic processes in two-stage anaerobic digestion

The two-stage anaerobic digestion (2st-AD) of sugarcane vinasse is widely studied and well-known for improving the energy recovery potential in sugarcane biorefineries. Maintaining enhanced substrate acidification in a separate (first stage) reactor directly improves the performance of methanogenesis (second stage). However, problems derived from the presence of sulfate (SO42−) and the subsequent sulfide formation in the second stage are not prevented in conventional 2st-AD systems. In addition, high costs related to reactor alkalinization still represent significant drawbacks in that configuration. The energy recovery potential via methanogenesis was assessed from acidified sugarcane vinasse samples collected from different dark fermentative systems, namely: V1 (subjected to NaOH+NaHCO3 dosing), V2 (subjected to NaOH dosing) and V3 (subjected to no pH control). Despite the harmfulness of sulfide, the enhanced production of acetate from the incomplete oxidation of organic matter in sulfidogenesis can benefit methanogens. The highest methane yield (296.3 NmL-CH4 g-COD−1) and global energy recovery potential (354,603 GWh per season) were obtained from the lactate and SO42−−rich vinasse (V2). Nevertheless, from a technological perspective, the methanogenesis of vinasses subjected to the fermentative-sulfidogenic process (V1) provided a higher quality biogas due to a higher calorific power (26.4-27.0 MJ Nm−3) and decreased H2S content in the biogas. Finally, the fermentative-sulfidogenic process as an alkalinizing strategy was demonstrated to be the best economic approach for scaling up the 2st-AD of sugarcane vinasse, overcoming the main economic drawback of that configuration.

Synthesis and formation mechanism of Ti3C2Clx MXene by molten salt method

MXene is a novel two-dimensional nano material with exceptional performance, which can be applied in the fields of energy storage structural materials, optics, catalysis, and sensors etc. However, its synthesis is a challenge to date. From the perspective of environmental friendliness, the method of Lewis salt etching can effectively avoid the use of dangerous reagents and has been seen as a pollution-free economic approach. In this article ZnCl2 molten salt was chosen as corrosive agent to etch Ti3AlC2 MAX phase and investigated the synthesis mechanism of Ti3C2Clx MXene. The influence of main process factor, like raw materials, sintering temperature, and holding time on synthesis product were studied and discussed. The synthesis route was investigated by XRD and thermal analysis. SEM and TEM technology was used to analyze the microstructure and lattice of synthesis product. The results showed that the optimal process conditions: the molar ratio of raw materials was 1:6 (Ti3AlC2: ZnCl2), the synthesis temperature and holding time were 600～700 °C and 4 h, respectively. Ti3C2Clx MXene material prepared by this method has a complete layered structure and uniform composition, and its synthesis mechanism can be concluded to two steps: the first step was the reaction between Ti3AlC2 MAX phase and ZnCl2 to generate Ti3ZnC2 MAX phase; In the second step, the Ti3ZnC2 MAX phase reacted with the remaining ZnCl2 to generate Ti3C2Clx MXene material.

Study of the effectiveness of microfiltration, solar disinfection, photocatalysis, and UV-C254 radiation on water contaminated by Legionella pneumophila

Legionella are opportunistic pathogens in artificial water systems and can cause a severe form of pneumonia called Legionnaires’ disease (LD), which is fatal in 5–50% of cases when contaminated aerosols are inhaled. LD emerged in the last half of the 20th century. Global challenges such as urbanization, aging populations, climate change, water scarcity, and circular economy approaches have led to an increase in the number of complex water systems and thus LD cases, which are expected to rise to around 2.5 billion by 2050. LD is a preventable disease if adequate measures are taken to control Legionella in water systems. Chlorine treatment and heat treatment are the methods of choice to sanitize a Legionella-contaminated water system. However, these two methods are not always effective in ensuring that the treated water is free of Legionella and safe for consumption and use. Therefore, we proposed to evaluate the efficacy of microfiltration, solar disinfection, photocatalysis, and UV-C254 irradiation on Legionella-contaminated water. Microfiltration was performed using a membrane filtration cell (SODIS). Solar disinfection and photocatalysis were performed with an experimental table consisting of six 1 L beakers, 3 for solar disinfection and 3 for photocatalysis. UV-C254 disinfection was also tested with 3 1 L beakers. For all four methods tested, the percentage of Legionella removal was over 99.99. The four disinfection systems tested provided satisfactory results and ensured that the treated water was free of Legionella and safe for consumption and use.