High Reusability Research Articles

Photocatalytic degradation of norfloxacin antibiotic by a novel Cu-ZnO/BiOI/Bi2WO6 double Z-type heterojunction: Performance, mechanism insight and toxicity assessment

A novel double Z-type Cu-ZnO/BiOI/Bi2WO6 photocatalyst was synthesized using one-pot hydrothermal method. The effects of Bi2WO6 and Cu-ZnO contents, antibiotic concentration, catalyst dosage, solution pH value, coexisting ions, antibiotic types, mixed antibiotic types, water source and light source on the catalytic performance of the Cu-ZnO/BiOI/Bi2WO6 were investigated. Remarkably, under visible light irradiation, the removal rate of 20 mg/L norfloxacin reached 94.32 % within 120 min using the optimized Cu-ZnO/BiOI/Bi2WO6 photocatalyst, and its pseudo-first-order reaction rate constants were 5.63 and 1.80 times higher than those of BiOI and BiOI/Bi2WO6, respectively. The toxicity prediction and experimental findings indicated that the toxicity of the degraded norfloxacin (NOR) solution was notably diminished. The Cu-ZnO/BiOI/Bi2WO6 catalyst exhibited excellent salt tolerance, high reusability stability, universality and spectral response. Outstanding photocatalytic performance of Cu-ZnO/BiOI/Bi2WO6 photocatalyst is primarily due to the co-recombination of Cu-ZnO and Bi2WO6 on BiOI, which increases the surface area and active sites of the catalyst. More importantly, the double Z-type heterojunction, created through the intimate union of the semiconductor boundary within the composite catalyst, enhances the interface charge transport efficacy and the efficiency of separating photogenerated carriers. Finally, in conjunction with a diverse range of experimental methodologies, the degradation pathway of NOR through the Cu-ZnO/BiOI/Bi2WO6 composite catalyst and the electron transfer mechanism within the double Z-type heterojunction have been comprehensively elucidated. This study provides a pioneering reference for optimizing BiOI-based heterojunction catalysts and addressing antibiotic-contaminated wastewater treatment.

Light harvesting S-scheme g-C3N4/TiO2/M photocatalysts for efficient removal of hazardous moxifloxacin

The development of advanced photocatalysts with enhanced efficiency for environmental remediation is critical for addressing persistent organic pollutants like Moxifloxacin. In this study, we present a novel S-scheme heterojunction g-C3N4/TiO2/M photocatalyst designed to optimize light harvesting and charge separation for the effective degradation of Moxifloxacin. The innovative S-scheme configuration enables superior charge transfer dynamics by retaining potent photogenerated electrons in the conduction band of TiO2 and holes in the valence band of g-C3N4, significantly improving photocatalytic performance compared to conventional Type-II systems. Heterogeneous photocatalysis, particularly using TiO2-based materials, offers a promising approach. Here, we synthesized TiO2 hybridized with metal-doped g-C3N4 (GCNTM) via a simple hydrothermal method. The fabricated nanocomposites were characterized using SEM, XRD, FTIR, and UV–Vis (DRS). These GCNTM nanocomposites were employed for the degradation of hazardous Moxifloxacin (MXF) under visible light. Detailed analysis of the photocatalytic mechanism reveals that the synergistic interaction between g-C3N4, TiO2, and the co-catalyst M not only broadens the light absorption spectrum but also enhances the separation and lifespan of charge carriers. Among the synthesized materials, GCNTLa demonstrated the highest degradation efficiency, achieving 96 % removal of MXF. This enhanced activity is attributed to the effective suppression of charge recombination, leading to the generation of reactive species responsible for MXF degradation. Additionally, GCNTM showed remarkable stability and reusability, with only a 6 % reduction in efficiency after five cycles, confirming its high reusability and mechanical stability. Our S-scheme photocatalyst demonstrates a marked increase in the degradation rate of Moxifloxacin under visible light irradiation, highlighting its potential for practical environmental applications.

Biochar-alginate beads derived from argan nutshells for effective methylene blue removal: A sustainable approach to wastewater treatment

This study explores the use of biochar derived from Argan Nutshells as a core component in alginate beads for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions. The characterization of BC/Alg composite was conducted using techniques like Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), and size distribution to assess its structural properties and confirm the strong interaction between both components. The adsorbent exhibited surface functional groups characteristic of both biochar and alginate, and SEM confirmed the spherical morphology of the beads. A response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the adsorption process by evaluating the effects of key parameters including pH, temperature, adsorbent mass, and dye concentration. The results showed that the BC/Alg effectively removed 96.4 % of MB. The pseudo-second order (PSO) kinetic model best described the MB removal process (R2 = 0.9990), while the Langmuir isotherm model accurately represented the adsorption equilibrium (R2 = 0.96879). After four cycles of regeneration trials, BC/Alg retained 82 % MB removal efficiency, indicating high reusability and stability. The remarkable adsorption capability of BC/Alg showed that it may be employed as an economical and environmentally friendly adsorbent in aqueous solutions, strengthening the case for employing Argan nutshells for water treatment.

Heterogeneous Fenton system driven by magnetic graphene-like biochar for degrading tetracycline

In this study, a novel catalyst with high efficiency and low cost was synthesized from farmland waste peanut shells by one-step pyrolysis modification method via K2FeO4, and employed for the catalytic degradation of tetracycline (TC). The magnetic potassium ferrate modified graphene-like biochar catalyst (PFGB) exhibited a high porosity, a highly graphitized structure, and a large specific surface area (857.09 m2·g-1) which was almost 30 times higher compared with peanut shell biochar, and were found to contain more functional groups. The formation and distribution of Fe3O4 and Fe0 nanoparticles on the surface/pores of PFGB provided more active sites for promoting adsorption and catalytic degradation reactions, and accelerated Fe(II)/Fe(III) recycle. Under the optimal conditions (pH=3.5, catalyst dosage = 0.5g·L-1, H2O2 concentration = 10mmol·L-1), about 98% of TC were degraded within 90min when the initial concentration of TC was 150mg·L-1, and PFGB could perform effectively over a wide pH range of 3-6. Furthermore, PFGB exhibited the advantages of convenient magnetic separation and strong reusability, maintaining a TC removal rate of ~90% after five cycles of experiments. The results of free radical quenching experiment and electron spin resonance analysis revealed that •OH and 1O2 were the main active species in the radical and non-radical pathways, respectively. This study indicated that PFGB, a catalyst developed for heterogeneous Fenton-like systems, possessed high efficiency, stability and reusability, and could be promising for the removal of TC in wastewater and other polluted waters.

Novel and reusable magnetic MOF nanocomposite coupled ionic liquid- promoted efficient chemical fixation of CO2 into α-alkylidene cyclic carbonates

Carbon dioxide as a C1 building block to synthesize α-alkylidene cyclic carbonates is an environmental and sustainable approach. In this work, we designed and synthesized a type of multifunctional magnetic MOF nanocomposite catalysts, which could realize the carboxylic cyclization of CO2 and propargylic alcohols into α-alkylidene cyclic carbonates under solvent-free conditions. Among all the prepared nanocomposites, the MnFe2O4@SiO2@Cu-MOF nanocomposite is the best in catalytic activity combined with the tetrabutylphosphonium acetate ([Bu4P]OAc) ionic liquid cocatalyst. The catalytic system MnFe2O4@SiO2@Cu-MOF/[Bu4P]OAc displayed excellent performance in catalyzing the carboxylic cyclization of CO2 and different propargylic alcohols, and a series of α-alkylidene cyclic carbonates were obtained in high to excellent yields (88 ∼ 98 %) under mild reaction conditions (0.2 MPa, 35 °C). In addition, the two-component catalytic system had high stability and reusability, and can be easily separated and reused up to six consecutive cycles without considerable decrease in catalytic activity. Moreover, using the ionic liquid [Bu4P]OAc as the cocatalyst, the nanocomposite had good substrate adaptability for the catalytic carboxylic cyclization, which opens interesting prospects for the development of new magnetic MOF nanocomposites as efficient heterogeneous catalysts for the chemical transformation of CO2 into value-added chemicals.

Enhanced Hydrophobicity and Oleophilicity of Modified Activated Carbons Derived from Agro-Wastes Biomass for the Removal of Crude Oil from Aqueous Medium

Crude oil spillage has tremendous environmental impacts and poses severe pollution problems worldwide due to the continuous activities and operations in the oil and gas sector. This has resulted in the urgent need for clean-up techniques such as the use of natural adsorbents which is considered a relatively low-cost, readily-available, efficient, eco-friendly, and easy-to-deploy mode of addressing oil spillage due to its high oil sorption capacity/efficiency, high oil selectivity, oleophilic, enduring, reusability and biodegradable properties. Empty palm fruit bunch and coconut coir were used as precursors to produce activated carbons for oil spill remediation. The influence of varying parameters was investigated using a batch experimental procedure resulting in the crude oil adsorption capacity increasing with a corresponding increase in contact time, initial oil concentration, temperature, agitation speed, and particle size but decreasing in adsorbent dosage. The combination of surface morphological modification and hydrophobicity enhancement resulted in significantly improved adsorption capacity for crude oil removal (2710.0 mg/g and 4859.5 mg/g for EPFBAC<SUB>LA</SUB> and CCAC<SUB>L.A</SUB> respectively), as evidenced by both FTIR and SEM analyses. The experimental isotherm data were analysed using various isotherm models and the best-fitted isotherm model was the Freundlich model with a correlation coefficient (R<sup>2 </sup>= 0.991 and R<sup>2 </sup>= 0.999) for EPFB<SUB>L.A</SUB> and CCAC<SUB>L.A</SUB> respectively. The kinetic behaviour of the adsorption process was best described by pseudo-second order with R<sup>2</sup> values of 0.970 and 0.999 for EPFBAC<SUB>LA</SUB> and CCAC<SUB>L.A</SUB> respectively while Boyd model revealed that the adsorption was controlled by an internal transport mechanism and film diffusion was the rate-limiting step. The crude oil adsorption was chemisorption and endothermic owing to the positive enthalpy values (ΔH<sup>o</sup> = 183.890 KJ/mol for EPFBAC<SUB>L.A </SUB>and ΔH<sup>o</sup> = 69.656 KJ/mol for CCAC<SUB>L.A</SUB>), the positive value of entropy suggested that the adsorption process was accompanied by an increase in the degree of randomness or disorder at the interface between the adsorbent and the adsorbate. A temperature rise led to a decline in Gibbs energy (ΔG<sup>o</sup>), suggesting that adsorption became more feasible and spontaneous at higher temperatures and the significant activation energies indicated the existence of a substantial energy barrier that must be overcome to initiate the reaction. The results showed the significant capability of the prepared adsorbents to be used as a low-cost, re-generable and eco-friendly adsorbent in oil spill clean-up and is recommended to exploit its usage on a large scale.

Kinetic and optimization study of ultrasound-assisted biodiesel production from waste coconut scum oil using porous CoFe2O4@sulfonated graphene oxide magnetic nanocatalysts: CI engine approach

In this study, CoFe2O4@sulfonated graphene oxide (SGO) heterogeneous nanocatalyst was synthesized and utilized to produce biodiesel from waste coconut scum oil (WCSO). The structural features of CoFe2O4@SGO nanocatalyst were evaluated by SEM, TEM, EDX, FTIR, XRD, CO2/TPD, VSM, and BET analyses. According to these analyses, CoFe2O4@SGO nanocatalyst has high specific surface area, suitable functional groups, and good reactivity. The highest biodiesel yield using CoFe2O4@SGO nanocatalyst in optimal conditions (MeOH/WCSO ratio = 12.41, temperature = 64.73 °C, catalyst concentration = 2.24 %, and ultrasonic time = 33.08 min) was 96.87 %. The yield of biodiesel decreased from 96.91 % to 90.17 % after six reuse cycles, which demonstrates the significant stability of CoFe2O4@SGO nanocatalyst in the transesterification process. After 7 reuse steps, XRD and CO2/TPD analyzes revealed that the catalytic activity and crystallinity of the nanocatalyst were almost retained. The kinetic behavior of biodiesel generation showed that the transesterification reaction is endothermic. Enhancing the concentration of biodiesel in the fuel mix had a positive impact on the reduction of CO and UHC emissions, as well as diesel engine parameters such as cylinder pressure, BP, EGT, BSFC, and BTE. Owing to the high biodiesel yield, significant reusability, and positive impacts on the diesel engine, CoFe2O4@SGO nanocatalyst is recommended for industrial applications.

Wearable fiber-based visual strain sensors with high sensitivity and excellent cyclic stability for health monitoring and thermal management

Visual strain sensors have attracted significant attention in the smart wearables field due to their ability to intuitively monitor human health and movement through color displays. However, their development is limited by restricted sensitivity over a large strain range and poor cyclic stability. The conductivity and electricity-induced heating performance can be enhanced by filling microcracks with conductive nanoparticles to increase the conductive paths. Inspired by this concept, nanocarbon powder/silver nanoparticles@carboxylic multi-walled carbon nanotubes/polyurethane (NAMP) fiber-based visual strain sensors were developed using wet spinning, in-situ polymerization, and ultrasonic impregnation techniques. The NAMP sensors exhibit high sensitivity (GF=3528), a wide strain range (0–107 %), and excellent cyclic stability (over 5000 cycles), demonstrating high reusability, stability, and durability. Meanwhile, a wide temperature range from 27.8 °C to 75.2 °C and corresponding color display changes triggered by applied voltages from 0 to 2.5 V were achieved, indicating excellent visualization performance. In addition, the integration of NAMP fibers into temperature-adjustable electrothermal fabric can be utilized for human thermal management therapy and deicing. This work provides valuable insights into the design and potential applications of intelligent fibrous sensor, paving the way for the development of wearable textiles from fibers to fabrics.

Construction of Fe3O4@Dop-Triazine-CuCl2 as a novel and green nanocatalyst for C–Se coupling reaction of heterocyclic compounds

In this research, we first fabricated Fe3O4@Dop-Triazine-CuCl2 nanocatalyst by simple method, then its catalytic activity was investigated in the preparation of various derivatives of aryl-heteroaryl and di-heteroaryl selenides through C–Se coupling reactions of aryl iodides with powder selenium and various derivatives of heterocyclic compounds (with active C–H bonds). The catalyst exhibited spherical morphology with a diameter of approximately 20–30 nm and a magnetic saturation moment of 50.032 emu/g. The hydrocarbon content was measured to be around 12% by weight. In this method, a wide range of aryl-heteroaryl and di-heteroaryl selenides (36 examples) were synthesized with high yields (85–97%) using catalytic amount of the Fe3O4@Dop-Triazine-CuCl2 nanomaterial in the presence of KHCO3 in [BMIM]PF6 as solvent. This method has several remarkable features, which can be mentioned as follows: the synthesis of aryl-heteroaryl and di-heteroaryl selenide derivatives with high yields, performing the reactions in a suitable time (4 h), the applicability of this catalytic system for a wide range of substrates, the use of ionic liquid as solvent, high efficiency of Fe3O4@Dop-Triazine-CuCl2 catalyst, simple separation and high reusability of nanocatalyst.

Fabrication of temperature-regulated sorbitol/mannitol-doped copper oxides derived from a Cu complex and their photocatalytic properties

In this study, a series of composites containing copper oxide (CuxO) particles doped with sorbitol/mannitol, namely Cu/CuxO@C (x = 1 or 2), was successfully derived from a novel copper complex ([Cu(IPZ)2Cl2] (Cu-Complex), where IPZ = 4-Iodopyrazole) by pyrolysis method and exploiting the stability and modulation of the coordination sites of sorbitol/mannitol, which exhibited excellent photocatalytic properties. The results showed that Cu/CuxO@C possessed high efficiency in degrading rhodamine B (RhB), gentian violet (GV), methyl orange (MO) and Congo red (CR) dyes under UV irradiation, and the degradation effect was gradually enhanced with the increase of calcination temperature. The structural and chemical states of the materials were characterised in detail. Furthermore, the effects of experimental factors such as catalyst dose, solution pH, and inorganic anions on dye degradation efficiency were investigated. The photocatalytic mechanism study demonstrated that the primary oxygen-active substance was superoxide radical (·O2-). The electron transport hypothesis explains the effective separation of electrons and holes within a substance. The Cu/CuxO@C composite was regarded as a potential photocatalyst for dye wastewater treatment due to its high photocatalytic efficiency, reusability, and universality, offering a novel solution to environmental and energy issues.

Surface modified novel synthesis of Spirulina assisted mesoporous TiO2@CTAB nanocomposite employed for efficient removal of chromium (VI) in wastewater

In this study, an investigation of the adsorption efficiency of a novel Spirulina based TiO2@CTAB nanoparticle is carried out against one of the highly toxic heavy metal Cr (VI). The co-precipitation method was used to prepare the nanoparticles which were analyzed by various techniques including XRD, UV–Vis spectroscopy, Raman Spectroscopy, FT-IR, BET, FESEM with EDX, Zeta Potential, and Particle Size Analyzer. The pore diameter of the TiO2@CTAB nanocomposite was found to be 3.425 nm with a total surface area of 125.709 m2/g. The pHZPC and XPS studies were used to describe the mechanism of adsorption of Cr (VI) by TiO2@CTAB. For synthesized material, the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model exhibits improved adsorption than the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model, having a removal capacity of 127.551 mg/g. The adsorption of CR (VI) on the surface of TiO2@CTAB follows pseudo-second-order kinetics having an R2 value of 0.99983. Furthermore, the prepared mesoporous TiO2@CTAB adsorbent has high reusability without considerable degradation and may avoid the production of secondary pollutants to a large extent.

Dual motion principal Au-Ni-PDA-CuS micromotors with NIR light and magnetic effect for detection of organic dye

Copper sulfide (CuS), despite some disadvantages such as rapid recombination, easy aggregation, photodegradation of oxidized CuS, and a limited ability to absorb light energy, is still a good photocatalyst. This semiconductor material with a narrow bandgap plays a significant role in the degradation of organic dyes. However, due to these mentioned drawbacks, it requires a linker. The polymer used as this intermediate binder is polydopamine (PDA). PDA not only eliminates the disadvantages of CuS but also facilitates its attachment to the carrier system, which is a micromotor. However, the purpose of using PDA here is not only to eliminate the disadvantages of CuS but also to enable light-triggered motion due to its sensitivity to near-infrared (NIR) radiation. Similarly, CuS, which is a good catalyst, has been used in the polymerization reaction to catalyze dopamine’s conversion to PDA. The micromotor used in the study, based on the dual-motion principle, exhibits high stability and good reusability. The synthesized Au-Ni-PDA-CuS composite micromotor demonstrates a good photocatalytic degradation performance under NIR irradiation. The degradation efficiency is 54.48% at the lowest concentration, while it is 17.72% at the highest concentration, indicating the effectiveness of the synthesized micromotors in achieving good photocatalytic degradation at low concentrations. As a result of the photocatalytic degradation reaction, cyclic voltammetry was performed for 100 cycles to demonstrate the stability of the micromotors.This study is based on the electrochemical method for the photocatalytic degradation of methyl red (MR), an azo dye, using micromotors with a dual-motion principle. Following the development on an azo dye, this study applied the same procedure on real samples, and through in vitro investigation, the photocatalytic degradation of the composite motor on real samples was observed electrochemically.

Affordable and sustainable clean energy generation potentials from municipal dumpsites: case study of Oke saje dumpsite, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

The operating method of final waste disposal in Oke saje area of Abeokuta is direct open dumping and burning. This study was conducted at a major dumpsite in Abeokuta, to investigate the existing waste management systems, characterize solid wastes generated, and estimate for the sustainable energy generation potentials. Exploratory study design was adopted for a period of six (6) months, May to November, 2023. Seven (7) randomly selected plots of 1sq.m were located on Oke saje dumpsite, from where solid wastes were collected from top to the depth of 300 mm. Waste components were weighed to obtain the weight-based characterizations. Sorting into major waste components was in accordance with College and University Recycling Council (CURC) grouping system with modifications to accommodate peculiar waste stream generated in Oke saje dumpsite. Waste samples were taken to laboratory to carry our necessary physical, chemical and proximate analyses. Estimated total solid waste generation in Oke- saje, dumpsite was 3,718,832.03 kg (3718.83 tonnes). Estimated energy content of solid wastes was 46370.47MJ. This implies that there is possibility of electricity generation up to 12.881MWh from daily steam production. An integrated solid waste management concept adoptable to Oke- saje, dumpsite, has zero waste concept of about 46 % waste material recyclable (from composting, bio-fuel production and recyclables), with electricity generating potential of 5.923 KWh and 56 % energy recovery (from electricity generation, incineration-derived ash and residual ash for landfilling or soil enhancement), of about 6.956 KWh. Considering the high material recyclability, reusability and energy recovery potentials from solid wastes generated from Oke saje dumpsite, it was recommended that the Ogun State Waste Management Authority adopts affordable, sustainable and integrated waste management options of waste minimization and sorting from the source, reuse, recycling, and incineration of solid waste generated from the large communities within the state.

A pythagorean fuzzy approach to evaluate the challenges to implementing circular economy in the glass manufacturing industry: Implications for sustainable development

Glass is extensively used in both domestic and commercial settings and is recognized for its high recyclability and reusability. Organizations have been actively trying to adopt circular economy (CE) principles in various industrial sectors in recent years due to the increased global attention toward attaining sustainability. This study, therefore, proposes an integrated multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) technique, combining the Pythagorean fuzzy (PF) theory with the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method to prioritize and analyze the interrelationships within the challenges affecting the adoption of CSC practices in the glass manufacturing industry in a growing economy like Bangladesh. The challenges were initially identified through a review of existing literature. Following expert validation, seventeen components were chosen for analysis using the PF-DEMATEL framework. The obtained results suggest that "lack of consumer awareness and drive for circular practices"," inadequate regulatory framework for waste management and environmental protection", and " limited market demand for remanufactured products" are the most important challenges affecting the adoption of CSC in the glass manufacturing industry with prominence value 7.872, 7.614, and 7.315, respectively. Furthermore, the primary contributing factor is the "lack of consumer awareness and drive for circular practices", followed by "inadequate waste collection fleet" and "limited market demand for remanufactured products", which have causal weights of 0.77, 0.464, and 0.353, respectively. The study's findings hold the prospect of assisting managers and policymakers in crafting long-term strategy and expenditure decisions aimed at enhancing sustainability and resilience in the glass manufacturing industry.

Crosslinking assembly of Propenyl-Calix[4]-Crown-6 interpenetrating functional mesoporous carbon Spheres: High selectivity and stability to Remove Cs(I) from high acid solution

The calix[4]-crown-6 ligand shows high selectivity for Cs(I) over other alkali and alkaline earth metal cations, making it a promising candidate for radiocesium separation. However, its high viscosity and poor adhesion limit its practical use and stability. In this study, an alkenyl-functionalized calix[4]-crown-6 (p-C[4]C6) was developed. Using a mesoporous structure and post-assembly techniques, a composite (p-C[4]C6/MMCs) was created via crosslinking within mesoporous matrix channels. The p-C[4]C6/MMCs exhibited high stability and practicality. The p-C[4]C6/MMCs demonstrated high selectivity, good reusability, and significant adsorption capacity (47.76 mg/g) for Cs(I) in 3.0 M HNO3. Kinetic, isotherm, and thermodynamic studies suggest a spontaneous chemical adsorption mechanism. This research provides insights into the design of calix[4]-crown-6 based materials and offers a viable approach for Cs(I) separation from high-level liquid waste (HLW).

Green synthesis of In2S3-supported Ni-MOF: Bifunctional photocatalyst for sustainable H2O2 production and 2,4,6-trinitrophenol photoreduction

This study describes a unique and sustainable strategy for synthesizing a highly effective photocatalyst using solvothermal synthesis to combine bioderived In2S3 and Nickel Metal-Organic Framework (Ni-MOF) forming In2S3/Ni-MOF. Bioderived In2S3 was produced using Azadirachta indica (neem) leaf extract, providing a green and sustainable source for semiconductor material synthesis. The synergistic interaction of In2S3 with Ni-MOF led to better charge transfer kinetics, a wider band gap, and reduced charge recombination, all contributing to increased photoactivity. The constructed photocatalyst performed admirably under visible light irradiation in producing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) with an impressive 1528.5 μmol/g.h yield. Furthermore, the photocatalyst demonstrated extraordinary effectiveness in reducing 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (2,4,6-TNP), with a reduction efficiency of 96.31 % in 20 min and high reusability in both applications. The observed results highlight the importance of the collaborative impact between In2S3 and Ni-MOF, demonstrating the promise of this green-synthesized material as a highly efficient photocatalyst with dual uses in various environmental settings. Using renewable neem leaf extract to manufacture In2S3 adds an environmentally beneficial component to the entire strategy, helping to build sustainable and efficient photocatalytic materials.

New application of a dye-decolorizing peroxidase immobilized on magnetic nanoparticles for efficient simultaneous degradation of two mycotoxins

Nowadays the enzymatic approaches are the most promising strategies for mycotoxins detoxification in food stuffs. Herein, the dye-decolorizing peroxidase RhDypB from Rhodococcus jostii was studied for its ability to degrade two mycotoxins in both free and the immobilized enzyme forms. This enzyme was recombinantly expressed and purified, while Fe3O4 nanoparticles were prepared and modified with chitosan as the immobilization carrier. The immobilized enzyme Fe3O4@CS@RhDypB demonstrated degradation rate of 85.61 % toward aflatoxin B1, while it was firstly found to be able to degrade zearalenone with the rate of 86.52 %, at pH 4.0 on 30 °C. The degradation products were identified as aflatoxin Q1 and 15-OH-ZEN respectively. After 5 cycles of reuse, Fe3O4@CS@RhDypB still exhibited degradation rates of 38.50 % and 49.76 % toward the mycotoxins, indicating its high reusability. Moreover, Fe3O4@CS@RhDypB exhibited excellent stability after 10 days of storage. This work identified potential applications of nanoparticle-immobilized enzyme for biodegradation of mycotoxins in food industry.

Evaluation on potential application of lipase immobilized on rice husks in enzymatic glycerolysis reaction

Owing to high production cost and low reaction yield, immobilized lipase is rarely used in industrial glycerolysis. This research characterizes the performance of lipase immobilized on rice husk in glycerolysis reaction. By utilizing hexamethylenediamine (HMDA) and glutaraldehyde (GA) as coupling agents, lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus was immobilized on oxidized rice husk (ORH). For comparison, another sample was prepared where the lipase was directly immobilized on ORH without the use of HMDA and GA. Then, monoglyceride production was performed via glycerolysis using the immobilized lipase. The FTIR analysis verify interactions on rice husk including rice husk oxidation, HMDA coupling, GA activation and lipase immobilization on rice husk. The study found that within the examined range of added lipase for immobilization (10–40 mg-protein/g-support), ORH–HMDA–GA–Lipase possessed superior outcomes in terms of protein loading, immobilization yield, and recovered glycerolysis activity compared to ORH–Lipase. Besides, ORH–HMDA–GA–Lipase exhibits better storage stability (60°C, 44.9 %) and higher reusability (90.0 % monoglyceride yield at the 8th cycle) against ORH–Lipase. The results confirm satisfying performance of the prepared immobilized lipase in glycerolysis and highlight its enhancements facilitated by coupling agents.

Joule and photothermal heating techniques for oil desorption with techno-economic feasibility and environmental impact analysis

Joule and photothermal heating offer promising avenues for enhancing oil recovery, desorption, and reusability by reducing the viscosity of highly viscous oils, thereby facilitating their mobility on sorbent surface. This study developed a heatable reduced graphene oxide nanoribbon (r-GONR)-coated polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) oil sorbent to address these viscosity challenges. The application of heating increased oil desorption by approximately 50%, significantly outperforming the conventional PVDF mat. The r-GONR sorbent, leveraging the photothermal effect, demonstrated exceptional reusability, maintaining 40% oil desorption efficiency up to the 10th cycle. Furthermore, its high oil desorption and reusability translated into considerable economic benefits, with a revenue potential of 6.4–29.0 $/m2, alongside significant environmental impact reduction. This study introduces a novel, sustainable approach to oil desorption and reuse, underscoring the practical applications of heatable materials in enhancing oil recovery.

Synergistic enhancement of plasmon induced photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical performance on ZnWO4/Ag2O@Ag hybrid-heterostructures

A novel hybrid photocatalyst, ZnWO4/Ag2O@Ag heterostructure was synthesized using a simple one-pot microwave treatment with varying concentrations of silver. Physico-chemical characterization was performed to elucidate the synthesized nanohybrids' properties. The photocatalytic activity of both pristine and heterostructure samples was evaluated through the degradation of cationic MB dye. Among the varied Ag concentrations, the 9 % Ag-doped ZnWO4/Ag2O heterostructure exhibited superior degradation performance, with a degradation rate of 93 % achieved within 45 min, surpassing both other Ag concentrations (89 % (90 min) for 1 % Ag, 87 % (80 min) for 3 % Ag, 90 % (80 min) for 5 % Ag and 91 % (45 min) for 7 % Ag) and pristine ZnWO4 (91 % (90 min)) samples. This catalytic enhancement can be attributed to the formation of heterostructures, plasmon-induced absorption enhancement within specific wavelength ranges, and reduced charge recombination rates. UV–visible studies revealed Ag nanoparticles of various sizes in the heterostructures, supported by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peaks at 480 and 550 nm, respectively. Trapping experiments indicated that •OH and •O2− were the active species in MB reduction for pure and heterostructure samples. Furthermore, the hybrid heterostructure samples exhibited high stability and reusability in photocatalytic degradation. These findings suggest that the ZnWO4/Ag2O heterostructure photocatalysts are promising candidates for environmental remediation applications.