Environmental Remediation Applications Research Articles

Bioinspired synthesis and characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles and assessment of their cytotoxicity and antimicrobial efficacy

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are versatile and promising, with diverse applications in environmental remediation, nanomedicine, cancer treatment, and drug delivery. In this study, ZnO NPs were synthesized utilizing extracts derived from Acacia catechu, Artemisia vulgaris, and Cynodon dactylon. The synthesized ZnO NPs showed an Ultraviolet–visible spectrum at 370 nm, and X-ray diffraction analysis indicated the hexagonal wurtzite framework with the average crystallite size of 15.07 nm, 16.98 nm, and 18.97 nm for nanoparticles synthesized utilizing A. catechu, A. vulgaris, and C. dactylon respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated spherical surface morphology with average diameters of 18.5 nm, 17.82 nm, and 17.83 nm for ZnO NPs prepared from A. catechu, A. vulgaris, and C. dactylon, respectively. Furthermore, ZnO NPs tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Kocuria rhizophila, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Shigella sonnei demonstrated a zone of inhibition of 8 to 14 mm. The cell viability and cytotoxicity effects of ZnO NPs were studied on NIH-3T3 mouse fibroblast cells treated with different concentrations (5 μg/mL, 10 μg/mL, and 50 μg/mL). The results showed biocompatibility of all samples, except with higher doses causing cell death. In conclusion, the ZnO NPs synthesized through plant-mediated technique showed promise for potential utilization in various biomedical applications in the future.

Silver zirconate: A versatile visible light harvesting photocatalyst for oxygen evolution, PMS activation, and bactericidal activity

Herein, we have synthesized silver zirconate using a co-precipitation method at room temperature. The synthesized Ag2ZrO3 (SZ) was then subjected to calcination at different temperatures (300 °C, 500 °C, and 700 °C). The synthesized Ag2ZrO3 materials were evaluated for their photocatalytic oxygen evolution, activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) ions, and antibacterial activity under visible light irradiation. Among the different samples, the SZ sample (Ag2ZrO3 synthesized at room temperature) exhibited the highest photocatalytic oxygen evolution rate (2175.02 μmolg-1h−1). This enhanced performance can be attributed to the higher surface area of SZ compared to the other samples. Furthermore, all four samples were tested for the photoactivation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) ions to assess their ability for the decontamination of organic pollutant. The SZ photocatalyst demonstrated complete degradation (100 %) of RhB dye (2.1 × 10-5 M) within 120 min of visible light irradiation in the presence of PMS. In contrast, without PMS, only 54.33 % degradation of RhB was recorded in 300 min. This result indicates that SZ effectively activates PMS ions for the degradation of organic pollutants. Additionally, SZ exhibited excellent bactericidal activity against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria, both in the dark and in the presence of visible light. The findings demonstrate the multifunctional properties of Ag2ZrO3, making it suitable for a wide range of environmental remediation applications.

Recent advancements in sustainable synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using various plant extracts for environmental remediation.

The sustainable synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using plant extracts has gained significant attention in recent years due to its eco-friendly nature and potential applications in numerous fields. This synthetic approach reduces the reliance on non-renewable resources and eliminates the need for hazardous chemicals, minimizing environmental pollution and human health risks. These ZnO-NPs can be used in environmental remediation applications, such as wastewater treatment or soil remediation, effectively removing pollutants and improving overall ecosystem health. These NPs possess a high surface area and band gap of 3.2eV, can produce both OH° (hydroxide) and O2-° (superoxide) radicals for the generation of holes (h+) and electrons (e-), resulting in oxidation and reduction of the pollutants in their valence band (VB) and conduction band (CB) resulting in degradation of dyes (95-100% degradation of MB, MO, and RhB dyes), reduction and removal of heavy metal ions (Cu2+, Pb2+, Cr6+, etc.), degradation of pharmaceutical compounds (paracetamol, urea, fluoroquinolone (ciprofloxacin)) using photocatalysis. Here, we review an overview of various plant extracts used for the green synthesis of ZnO NPs and their potential applications in environmental remediation including photocatalysis, adsorption, and heavy metal remediation. This review summarizes the most recent studies and further research perspectives to explore their applications in various fields.

Chemical-Vapor-Deposition-Synthesized Two-Dimensional Non-Stoichiometric Copper Selenide (β-Cu2-xSe) for Ultra-Fast Tetracycline Hydrochloride Degradation under Solar Light.

The high concentration of antibiotics in aquatic environments is a serious environmental issue. In response, researchers have explored photocatalytic degradation as a potential solution. Through chemical vapor deposition (CVD), we synthesized copper selenide (β-Cu2-xSe) and found it an effective catalyst for degrading tetracycline hydrochloride (TC-HCl). The catalyst demonstrated an impressive degradation efficiency of approximately 98% and a reaction rate constant of 3.14 × 10-2 min-1. Its layered structure, which exposes reactive sites, contributes to excellent stability, interfacial charge transfer efficiency, and visible light absorption capacity. Our investigations confirmed that the principal active species produced by the catalyst comprises O2- radicals, which we verified through trapping experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). We also verified the TC-HCl degradation mechanism using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Our results provide valuable insights into developing the β-Cu2-xSe catalyst using CVD and its potential applications in environmental remediation.

Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>) Microrods and Nanosheets Photocatalysts Immobilized on Water Hyacinth Cellulose Sponge for Photodegradation

In this research, the researchers successfully fabricated photocatalysts hybrid materials using g-C3N4 microrods and g-C3N4 nanosheets, which were coated on water hyacinth cellulose sponges. The optical properties of the photocatalysts hybrid materials, specifically the g-C3N4 microrods and g-C3N4 nanosheets, were analyzed using a UV-vis spectrometer. The morphology of the g-C3N4 microrods and g-C3N4 nanosheets photocatalysts was examined using different procedures, including FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy), XRD (X-ray diffraction), and TEM (transmission electron microscopy). The results obtained from the study indicate that g-C3N4 microrods exhibited a higher level of crystallinity or orderliness in terms of intramolecular orientation compared to g-C3N4 nanosheets. This suggests that the microrods possessed a more organized arrangement of atoms within the material structure. Furthermore, the energy bandgap values, as determined from the study, were found to be 2.25 eV for the microrods and 2.75 eV for the nanosheets. As part of this project, the photocatalysts, namely g-C3N4 microrods and g-C3N4 nanosheets, were utilized as coating materials for water hyacinth-synthesized cellulose sponges. This process led to the formation of hybrid materials known as g-C3N4 MCS (Microrods Cellulose Sponge) and g-C3N4 NCS (Nanosheets Cellulose Sponge). The efficiency and reaction rate of MB removal were then studied with various models such as First order reaction, Second order reaction, Pseudo first order reaction, Pseudo second order reaction and Elovich model. The results obtained from the research project indicated that the g-C3N4 NCS hybrid material exhibited a notably higher rate of organic degradation compared to the g-C3N4 MCS hybrid material. In conclusion, this research project successfully achieved the fabrication and characterization of a photocatalysts hybrid material using cellulose sponge from water hyacinth. The material demonstrated excellent performance as an absorbent and degradation agent for organic pollutants in water, highlighting its potential for practical applications in water treatment and environmental remediation.

Preparation of the 2,2′-biimidazole-based hypercrosslinked polymers by bottom-up synthetic strategy and their application for adsorping and fluorescence sensing 2,4-dinitrophenol

The 2,2′-biimidazole-based hypercrosslinked polymers (2,2′-biimidazole-based HCPs, BIMM-3 and BIMM-4) were prepared by the synthetic strategy of one-pot bottom-up with nitrogen-rich 2,2′-biimidazole and triiodomethane or tetra-iodine methane for the first time. This new strategy offers the resulting HCPs presented nitrogen-rich and electron-rich. The as-synthesized 2,2′-biimidazole-based HCPs exhibit high iodine uptake capacities up to 8.04 and 4.57 g g-1, representing efficient adsorbents for wider environmental applications. The main reason for chemical sorption happening in 2,2′-biimidazole-based HCPs. Furthermore, BIMM-3 and BIMM-4 can sense nitroaromatic compounds (NACs, such as 2,4-dinitrophenol, DNP) with high quenching constants (Ksv) of 5.69 × 104 and 4.71 × 104 L mol-1 and low limits of detection (LODs) of 5.27 × 10-9 and 6.37 × 10-9 mol L-1. The quenching mechanisms of the 2,2′-biimidazole-based HCPs by DNP include both electron transfer process and resonance energy transfer process. Our work provided promising conclusions for HCPs as adsorbents and sensors for the capture of iodine and the detection of DNP for environmental remediation applications.

Effect of solution chemistry on the sedimentation, dissolution, and aggregation of the bimetallic Fe/Cu nanoparticles pre- and post-grafted with carboxymethyl cellulose

The suitability of iron-based nanomaterials or composites for in-situ remediation hinges on their physicochemical stability. Introducing surface modifications like metal doping or polymer grafting can regulate interparticle forces, influencing particle stability. Thus, probing how grafting methods (i.e., pre- or post-grafting) tune material properties controlling interparticle forces, comprehend the synergistic effect of metal doping and polymer grafting, and evaluate stability under varying geochemical conditions are the way forward in designing sustainable remediation strategies. To this end, time-dependent sedimentation, dissolution, and aggregation of four synthesized iron-based nanoparticles (bare iron (Fe), copper doped bimetallic iron/copper (Fe/Cu), pre- and post-grafted Fe/Cu with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) – CMCpre-Fe/Cu and CMCpost-Fe/Cu, respectively) were carried out as a function of solution chemistry (i.e., pH – 5 to 10, ionic strength, IS – 0 to 100 mM NaCl, initial particle concentration, C0–20 to 200 mg.L−1) mimicking geoenvironmental conditions. CMCpre-Fe/Cu exhibited markedly higher particle availability (> 91 %) against sedimentation than others (bare Fe/Cu (11.28 %) > bare Fe (7.33 %) > CMCpost-Fe/Cu (6.09 %)) – suggesting the pivotal role of grafting method on particle stability. XDLVO energy profiles revealed pre-grafting altered magnetic properties favoring surface charge-driven electrostatic repulsion over magnetic attraction, thereby limiting aggregation-induced particle settling. In contrast, superior magnetic force overrides the electrostatic behavior for bare and post-grafted particles. Unlike bare and post-grafted nanoparticles, CMCpre-Fe/Cu aggregate size correlated positively with [H+] and IS, consistent with their settling behavior. Rise in C0 showed a visible negative effect on particle aggregation and, thereby, sedimentation except for CMCpre-Fe/Cu by facilitating particle collision through Brownian movement. Both acidic pH and copper doping promoted nanoparticle dissolution, whereas pre-grafting can provide a plausible solution against nanoparticle toxicity and loss of reactivity due to ionic release. To recapitulate, these findings are imperative in building a sustainable framework for environmental remediation application.

Unraveling the Impact of Curvature on Electrocatalytic Performance of Carbon Materials: A State-of-the-Art Review.

Curvature of carbon materials has gained significant attention as catalysts due to their distinctive properties and potential applications. This review comprehensively summarizes how the bending of carbon materials can improve electrocatalytic performance, with special attention to the applications of various bent carbon materials (such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, and fullerene) in electrocatalysts and a large number of related density functional theory (DFT) theoretical calculations. Extensive mechanism research has provided a wealth of evidence indicating that the curvature of carbon materials has a profound impact on catalytic activity. This improvement in catalytic performance by curved carbon materials is attributed to factors like a larger active surface area, modulation of electronic structure, and better dispersal of catalytic active sites. A comprehensive understanding and utilization of these effects enable the design of highly efficient carbon-based catalysts for applications in energy conversion, environmental remediation, and chemical synthesis.

Design, Preparation, and Characterization of Polycaprolactone–Chitosan Nanofibers via Electrospinning Techniques for Efficient Methylene Blue Removal from Aqueous Solutions

The effective removal of organic dyes from aqueous solutions is of paramount importance in addressing environmental pollution challenges. Methylene blue (MB), a prevalent cationic dye in various industries, has raised concerns due to its persistence and potential adverse effects on ecosystems. This study explores the design, preparation, and characterization of Polycaprolactone–Chitosan (PCL–CH) nanofibers via electrospinning for the removal of MB. PCL, known for its biodegradability and mechanical properties, serves as the primary matrix, while chitosan (CH), with its biocompatibility and amino functionalities, offers enhanced adsorption potential. The electrospinning process yields nanofibers with tailored compositions and controlled morphology. The synthesized nanofibers are systematically characterized, encompassing structural analysis by Fourier transform infrared (FT–IR), spectroscopy, morphology, and composition assessment via Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), zeta potential, as well as rheological behavior evaluation. The adsorption uptake of MB onto these nanofibers is investigated, considering the influence of solution pH and initial dye concentration. The results reveal significant enhancements in adsorption capacity, especially with the incorporation of CH, with the PCL–CH 30% nanofibers exhibiting outstanding performance. The pH-dependent behavior underscores the importance of environmental factors in the adsorption process, while higher dye concentrations provide a stronger driving force for adsorption. These findings position PCL–CH nanofibers as promising adsorbents for the efficient removal of MB and potentially other organic contaminants from aqueous solutions. The study contributes to the development of sustainable materials for environmental remediation, wastewater treatment, and related applications, aligning with ongoing efforts to address water pollution challenges.

Biochar from phytoremediation plant residues: a review of its characteristics and potential applications.

Phytoremediation is a cost-effective and eco-friendly plant-based approach promising technique to repair heavy metal-contaminated soils. However, a significant quantity of plant residues needs to be properly treated and utilized. Pyrolysis is an effective technology for converting residues to biochar, which can solve the problem and avoid secondary contamination. This paper reviews the generation, and physicochemical properties of biochar from phytoremediation residues, and its application in soil improvement, environmental remediation, and carbon sequestration. In spite of this, it is important to be aware of the potential toxicity of heavy metals in biochar and the environmental risks of biochar before applying it to practical applications. Future challenges in the production and application of residue-derived biochar include the rational selection of pyrolysis parameters and proper handling of potentially hazardous components in the biochar.

Trace element accumulation behavior, ability, and propensity of Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg (Dandelion)

The study aims to achieve several objectives: determine background element concentrations in Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg-common dandelion roots, stems, and flowers; clarify T. officinale's ability to accumulate trace elements (TEs) in plant parts; calculate accumulation and translocation factors to identify hyperaccumulator potential; and contribute to practical applications in geochemical prospecting, exploration geochemistry, phytomining, and environmental remediation. To accomplish this, 34 samples of T. officinale and associated soil samples were gathered from the plant's habitat along the roadside for trace element (TE) analysis. The elemental composition of both plants and soils underwent analysis using diverse statistical approaches, including factor analysis, ANOVA tests, and descriptive parameters. Plant element accumulation patterns and tendencies across various plant parts were explored through bioconcentration (BCFs) and translocation factors (TFs). Results showed that T. officinale accumulates some TEs in its roots, stems, and flowers, with the highest concentrations found in the roots. The factor analysis of plant element contents indicated a grouping tendency among elements. Specifically, Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn exhibited a tendency to co-occur, while Ba, Mo, and Sr formed a separate group. Furthermore, in the flowers of the plant, Al, Ba, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Sr showed a similar grouping, while Cu, Pb, and Zn formed a distinct cluster. ANOVA tests demonstrated significant variations in the accumulation of Al, Ba, Cr, Fe, and Sr among the roots, flowers, and stems of the plant. Additionally, Ni and Pb exhibited noteworthy differences in accumulation between these plant parts. Furthermore, Mn and Zn showed significant discrepancies in their accumulation capacities across all parts of the plant. T. officinale was identified as a lead hyperaccumulator by the study, with BCFs and concentrations exceeding 1000 mg kg−1. These findings inform strategies for phytoremediation and enhance our understanding of the plant's potential role in exploration studies and environmental management in metal-rich regions.

Insights into adsorption performance and mechanism of chitosan-bentonite biocomposites for removal of imazethapyr and imazamox

In the present study, chitosan-bentonite biocomposites were synthesised by ultrasonication, characterized using spectral techniques and assessed for their effectiveness in removing imazethapyr and imazamox from aqueous solution. The response surface methodology based box behnken design was utilized to generate optimum conditions viz. pH (1 to 9), adsorbent dose (0.01 to 1.0 g), contact time (0.5 to 48 h) and temperature (15 to 55 °C) for adsorption of herbicides on biocomposites. Based on model predictions, 60.4 to 91.5 % of imazethapyr and 31.7 to 46.4 % of imazamox was efficiently removed under optimal conditions. Adsorption data exhibited a strong fit to pseudo-second-order kinetic (R2 > 0.987) and Freundlich isotherm (R2 > 0.979). The adsorption capacity ranged from 3.88 to 112 μg1−ng−1mLn and order of adsorption was: low molecular weight chitosan-bentonite> medium molecular weight chitosan-bentonite> high molecular weight chitosan-bentonite> bentonite. Thermodynamic experiments suggested a spontaneous, exothermic process, reducing the system randomness during adsorption. Desorption experiments revealed successful desorption ranging from 91.5 to 97.0 % using 0.1 M NaOH. The adsorption mechanism was dominated by synergistic electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding. These results collectively indicated the potential environmental remediation application of chitosan-bentonite biocomposites to adsorb imazethapyr and imazamox from wastewaters.

Sonochemically Synthesized Bismuth Oxyiodide Nanocrystal for Wastewater Remediation through Visible‐Light Photocatalysis

AbstractIt has been demonstrated that bismuth oxyhalides [BiOX (X = Cl, Br, and I)] nano‐crystals can efficiently behave as photocatalysts both under visible light and UV light. Different types of dyes, phenols, etc. can be degraded by bismuth oxyhalides materials efficiently, for the purification of wastewater. The raw materials used in the synthesis of bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) are pure Bi2O3, halide salt, and capping agent (poly‐vinyl‐pyrrolidone). A variety of characterization techniques are used to characterize the as‐synthesized samples, including X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–Vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy (UV–Vis DRS), photoluminescence (PL), Mott–Schottky, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), and high resolution transmission electron microscopic (HRTEM), etc. A potential application in environmental remediation is achieved through 95.25% degradation of organic Rhodamine B (RhB) dye within 100 min using the synthesized materials under visible light irradiation.

Nanomaterials for intelligent CRISPR-Cas tools: improving environment sustainability.

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) is a desirable gene modification tool covering a wide area in various sectors of medicine, agriculture, and microbial biotechnology. The role of this incredible genetic engineering technology has been extensively investigated; however, it remains formidable with cargo choices, nonspecific delivery, and insertional mutagenesis. Various nanomaterials including lipid, polymeric, and inorganic are being used to deliver the CRISPR-Cas system. Progress in nanomaterials could potentially address these challenges by accelerating precision targeting, cost-effectiveness, and one-step delivery. In this review, we highlighted the advances in nanotechnology and nanomaterials as smart delivery systems for CRISPR-Cas so as to ameliorate applications for environmental remediation including biomedical research and healthcare, strategies for mitigating antimicrobial resistance, and to be used as nanofertilizers for enhancing crop growth, and reducing the environmental impact of traditional fertilizers. The timely co-evolution of nanotechnology and CRISPR technologies has contributed to smart novel nanostructure hybrids for improving the onerous tasks of environmental remediation and biological sustainability.

Emerald eco-synthesis: harnessing oleander for green silver nanoparticle production and advancing photocatalytic MB degradation with TiO2&CuO nanocomposite

The tertiary composite of TiO2/CuO @ Ag (TCA) were synthesized by the solid state method using different ratios of TiO2/CuO NCs and Ag NPs. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of nanocomposites were analyzed by scanning electron microscope, Transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–Vis/DRS) and photoluminescence spectrophotometry. The results showed enhanced activity of TCA hybrid nano crystals in oxidizing MB in water under visible light irradiation compared to pure TiO2. The photocatalytic performance TCA samples increased with suitable Ag content. The results show that the photo degradation efficiency of the TiO2 compound improved from 13 to 85% in the presence of TiO2–CuO and to 98.87% in the presence of Ag containing TiO2–CuO, which is 7.6 times higher than that of TiO2. Optical characterization results show enhanced nanocomposite absorption in the visible region with long lifetimes between e/h+ at optimal TiO2–CuO/Ag (TCA2) ratio. Reusable experiments indicated that the prepared TCA NC photo catalysts were stable during MB photo degradation and had practical applications for environmental remediation.

Innovative Catalytic Materials for Environmental Remediation and Energy Applications

The need for low-cost and environmentally friendly energy is greater than ever nowadays due to the global population growth as well as the modern lifestyle [...]

Highly efficient capacitive deionization of copper(Ⅱ) ions from wastewater in symmetric Ti3C2Tx MXene-based electrode: Performance, optimization and deionization mechanism

Due to the use of Cu(II) ions as catalysts, the production of polyacrylamide generates Cu-containing wastewater, constituting an environmental safety hazard and a waste of resources. This study proposes symmetric Ti3C2Tx MXene-based electrodes for capacitive deionization to remove Cu(II) ions from chemical wastewater as a clean, low-energy, and resource-recyclable method and investigates their performances and mechanisms. Results showed that the adsorption capacity and removal efficiency of Cu(II) ions could reach 49.4 mg·g−1 and 98.6% under the optimal experimental conditions (the initial Cu(II) ions concentration was 100.0 mg·L−1, imposed voltage of 1.0 V, circulation velocity of 25.0 mL·min−1, and the initial pH of 4.0). At the same time, the adsorption capacity and removal efficiency of Cu(II) ions in real copper-containing wastewater were 47.4 mg·g−1 and 97.7%. In addition, by analyzing the changes of the electrode, the mechanism of electroadsorption was determined to include capacitive electroadsorption (double layer with pseudo-capacitance synergy) and cathodic electrodeposition. Ultimately, by applying a reverse voltage, Ti3C2Tx MXene-based electrodes can be rapidly regenerated and recycled for continued use as catalysts. This simple operation has the advantage of potential economic benefits. Therefore, the Ti3C2Tx MXene-based electrodes can be used potentially to remove Cu(II) ions in practical applications for environmental remediation.

Tripodal receptor cross-linked polymer as a promising adsorbent for iodine vapor capture and adsorption from water

A cross-linked tripodal receptor polymer was synthesized using a Friedel-Crafts polymerization reaction which showed an iodine vapor capture capacity of 2.47 g g−1 at 80 °C with remarkable iodine adsorption per unit BET surface area of 86 wt/(m2/g). UV–Vis spectral analysis confirmed that the polymer adsorbent rapidly adsorbs iodine from water. Importantly, the polymer exhibited reversible iodine adsorption allowing the polymer to be reused several times without losing the adsorption efficiency. We also investigated the adsorption capability of the synthesized polymer TPP as a filtration material for practical applications. Through dynamic adsorption experiments using a syringe pump setup, we demonstrated that a mere 40 mg of the TPP polymer effectively purifies 20 ml of a 2.5 mM aqueous iodine solution. Our findings underscore the exceptional adsorption efficiency of the TPP polymer, as evidenced by the successful removal of iodine molecules from the solution. These results not only highlight the potential of the TPP polymer for its utility in environmental remediation applications particularly for the treatment of effluents from nuclear reactors.

Green synthesis of ZIF-67 composite embedded with magnetic nanoparticles and ZnO decoration for efficient catalytic reduction of rhodamine B and methylene blue

This work focused on the green synthesis of the composite material Fe3O4/ZIF-67@ZnO utilizing magnetic and ZnO nanoparticles aided by lime extract. The composite was characterized through FTIR, XRD, FESEM, EDX, and TGA techniques. FTIR confirmed the presence of characteristic functional groups. XRD revealed the crystalline nature of the composite. FESEM images revealed spherical aggregation and a rough surface morphology. EDX analysis confirmed the uniform distribution of different elements, indicating successful incorporation. The TGA results showed that the thermal stability of the composite was enhanced owing to the nanoparticles. The composite was applied as a catalyst for reducing the organic dyes Rhodamine B (RhB) and Methylene Blue (MB). The effects of varying dosages and dye concentrations were systematically studied. It exhibited significant catalytic efficiency, reducing 88.2 ​% of RhB (11 ​min) and 87.3 ​% of MB (9 ​min). The reduction followed pseudo-first-order kinetics and synthesized composite could be reused for at least five cycles. These findings demonstrate the promising catalytic properties of the Fe3O4/ZIF-67@ZnO composite, especially for environmental remediation applications.

Rare earth element-modified MOF materials: synthesis and photocatalytic applications in environmental remediation

Rare earth element-modified MOF materials: synthesis and photocatalytic applications in environmental remediation