Separation Capability Research Articles

Design of Carbon Materials with Selective Ion Separation in Capacitive Deionisation and TheirApplications.

Capacitive deionization (CDI) isa novel, cost-effectiveand environmentally friendly desalination technology that has garneredsignificantattention in recent years. Carbon materials,owing to theirexcellent properties,have become the preferredelectrode materials forCDI. Giventhe significantdifferences betweendifferent ions, ion-selective performance has emerged as acritical aspect ofCDI applications.However, comprehensivereviewson the selective ion separation capabilities of carbon materials for CDI remain scarce. This review examines the progress in developingcarbon materials forion-selective separation in CDI,focusing onregulatory mechanisms and representativematerials.Italso discusses the applications of selective CDI carbon materialsin areas such asheavy metal removal, nutrient recovery, seawater desalination resourcing, and water softening. Furthermore, the challenges and futureprospects for advancingcarbon materials in CDIare explored.This review aims toprovide theoretical insights and practical guidance for utilisingcarbon materials in wastewater treatment and resource recovery.

Hydrophobic Ti3C2Tx/TEMPO Oxidized Cellulose Nanofibers Composite Aerogel for Efficient Oil-Water Separation

To address the pollution issues of industrial oily wastewater and catering industry wastewater, a series of Ti3C2Tx/TEMPO oxidized cellulose nanofibers composite aerogels with varying Ti3C2Tx content were successfully prepared using liquid nitrogen non-directional and directional freezing methods, with Ti3C2Tx and TEMPO oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TOCNF) as the main raw materials. The prepared samples were then hydrophobically modified using methyltrichlorosilane (MTCS) via chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The results showed that the directional Ti3C2Tx/TOCNF composite aerogel had the most orderly SEM morphology. The hydrophobic Ti3C2Tx/TOCNF composite aerogels exhibited efficient adsorption separation capabilities, with an adsorption capacity ranging from 21.5 to 78.2 times their own mass. Notably, the oil absorption performance was optimal when the mass fraction of Ti3C2Tx was 33.3%. After five adsorption cycles, the adsorption capacity of M5C10 (with a mass ratio of Ti3C2Tx to TOCNF of 5:10) only decreased by around 11%. M5C10 exhibits highly efficient oil absorption performance, which is of considerable significance for the research on oil-water separation treatment of industrial wastewater, domestic wastewater, and sewage from the catering industry.

Synthesis of a three-phase heterojunction NdVO4/V2O5/BiVO4 by cation exchange method for the degradation of anionic azo dye orange II.

Photocatalytic degradation of the azo dye orange II using NdVO4/V2O5/BiVO4 under visible light is reported here, and this oxygen-rich defect three-phase heterojunction structure is constructed using a two-step cation exchange method. This heterojunction significantly enhances the separation and migration efficiency of photo-induced charges, while the accompanying oxygen defects effectively capture photogenerated electrons, thereby suppressing the recombination of electrons and holes. Experimental characterization and theoretical calculations demonstrate the efficient separation and transfer capabilities of photogenerated carriers and their excellent photocatalytic degradation performance. Particularly, when treating the anionic dye orange II, this heterojunction structure achieves a degradation efficiency of up to 96.15%. Cycling tests show that NVB-24 exhibits good stability during the reaction process. This research provides a promising photocatalyst for the efficient degradation of anionic azo dyes and offers new insights for developing high-quality photocatalytic materials.

Influence of Monomer Size on CO2 Adsorption and Mechanical Properties in Microporous Cyanate Ester Resins.

Molecular simulations offer valuable insights into thermosetting polymers' microstructures and interactions with small molecules, aiding in the development of advanced materials. In this study, we design two cyanate resin models featuring monomers of different sizes and employ a previously developed method to generate crosslinked structures. We then analyze their crosslinking processes and physicochemical properties. Using quantum chemistry calculations and a GCMC/MD approach, we investigate CO2 adsorption. Our results show that monomer size does not significantly affect the crosslinking process and provides a degree of polymerization as 83.8 ± 0.3% vs. 76.7 ± 1.4%, but it does influence key properties, such as the glass transition temperature (520 K vs. 420 K) and Young's modulus (2.32 GPa vs. 1.77 GPa). Moreover, CO2 adsorption differs between the two models: the introduction of propyl ether moieties lowers by around 70% CO2 uptake, indicating that specific adsorption sites impact gas adsorption. This study demonstrates a promising strategy for designing and optimizing thermosetting polymers with controllable gas separation and storage capabilities.

Praesto Jetted A50 HipH, a mild pH elution Protein A resin, exhibits improved aggregate separation capability and protein elution from it shows unique response to mobile phase additive sodium chloride.

Protein A affinity chromatography has been widely used for product capture in monoclonal antibody (mAb), bispecific antibody (bsAb) and Fc-fusion protein purification. However, the low pH (i.e., 3.0-3.5) required for elution may cause aggregation and/or truncation for pH-sensitive molecules. Praesto Jetted A50 HipH from Purolite is a newly launched Protein A resin whose ligand is engineered to enable antibody/Fc-fusion elution at a milder pH (i.e., 4.6 or above) and therefore is more suitable to pH-sensitive molecules. In the current study, we demonstrated that this new Protein A resin, besides allowing mild elution, also possesses improved aggregate separation capability in comparison to traditional Protein A resins. While traditional Protein A resins generally lack any aggregate separation capability, Jetted A50 HipH can remove up to 70% of the aggregates in the load while maintaining good monomer recovery. In addition, we discovered that protein elution from Jetted A50 HipH column responded to mobile phase additive sodium chloride differently from that from traditional Protein A columns (elution was promoted rather than suppressed). This property enables elution at further increased pH (i.e., 5) when proper amount of sodium chloride is included in the elution buffer. Thus, Jetted A50 HipH is a better choice than traditional Protein A resins for pH-sensitive and/or aggregation-prone mAbs, bsAbs and Fc-fusion proteins.

Facile preparation of marine carrageenan hydrogel-coated steel mesh with superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic performance for highly efficient oil-water separation.

The discharge of oil-laden wastewater from industrial processes and the frequent occurrence of oil spills pose severe threats to the ecological environment and human health. Membrane materials with special wettability have garnered attention for their ability to achieve efficient oil-water separation by leveraging the differences in wettability at the oil-water interface. These materials are characterized by their simplicity, energy efficiency, environmental friendliness, and reusability. Among them, superhydrophilic-underwater superoleophobic membranes inspired by biomimetic fish scale structures have become a focal point of oil-water separation research due to their ability to repel oil contaminants effectively and maintain self-cleaning properties during the separation process. In this study, a stainless steel microporous two-dimensional metal mesh was employed as the substrate, coated with a carrageenan solution, and gelled in situ using sodium periodate as a crosslinking agent to fabricate a membrane with oil-water separation capabilities. The robust hydrophilicity of the carrageenan hydrogel imparts the coated stainless steel mesh with superhydrophilicity and underwater superoleophobicity (underwater oil contact angle ≥ 158°), along with excellent antifouling properties and recyclability. Experimental results demonstrate that the membrane achieved separation efficiencies of 98.87%, 98.08%, 98.14%, and 97.98% for silicone oil, canola oil, cyclohexane, and liquid paraffin, respectively, with a water flux of 1380.75L/m2·h. Remarkably, the membrane retained its initial separation efficiency even after 20 cycles. Additionally, the hydrogel exhibited exceptional stability under highly alkaline conditions, making it suitable for the treatment of complex oil-contaminated wastewater. PRACTITIONER POINTS: This study extracted a biocompatible and renewable hydrogel from marine red algae for application in oil-water separation. A superhydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic oil-water separation membrane was developed based on biomimetic fish scale structures. The membrane exhibited exceptionally high separation efficiency under pure gravity-driven conditions. The resulting material exhibits excellent oil repellency, self-cleaning capability, and recyclability.

One‐Pot Synthesis of Magnetically Recyclable Fe3o4@Uio‐66 Composite with Enhanced Oxytetracycline Adsorption Capacity

AbstractAs one of the most stable metal‐organic frame materials (MOFs), UiO‐66 has attracted extensive attention in the adsorption field. However, the application of UiO‐66 is still constrained by the weak electron‐hole charge separation capability and the low accessibility of micropores. In this study, the mesoporous defects of UiO‐66 were constructed with acetic acid and doped with Fe3O4 to prepare magnetically recyclable Fe3O4@UiO‐66. The doping of Fe3O4 resulted in the formation of denatured mesoporous defects in UiO‐66, which was conducive to adsorption oxytetracycline (OTC) in water. The crystal structure and physicochemical characteristics of Fe3O4@UiO‐66 were examined. By using the static adsorption technique, the adsorption characteristics and mechanism of OTC on Fe3O4@UiO‐66 were investigated. The results reveal that Fe3O4@UiO‐66 has an adsorption capacity of 210 mg g−1 and an OTC removal ratio of 84.0%. The pseudo‐second‐order kinetics, Elovich, and Langmuir isothermal adsorption models were all applicable to the adsorption process. The adsorption process increased entropy and was an endothermic reaction. Solution pH has a little effect on the adsorption performance. This study provides the possibility of one‐step synthesis of MOFs that can efficiently adsorb tetracycline antibiotics in water with low cost and excellent recyclability and reusablity.

MXene-based composite photocatalysts for efficient degradation of antibiotics in wastewater

MXene-based (nano)materials have recently emerged as promising solutions for antibiotic photodegradation from aquatic environments, yet they are limited by scalability, stability, and selectivity challenges in practical settings. We formulated Fe2O3-SiO2/MXene ternary nano-photocomposites via coupled wet impregnation and sonochemistry approach for optimised tetracycline (TC) removal (the second most used antibiotic worldwide) from water using response surface methodology-central composite design (RSM-CCD). The photocatalysts containing various loading of Fe2O3/SiO2 (5–45 wt%) on the MXene with a range of calcination temperatures (300–600 °C) via RSM optimisation were synthesised, characterised regarding crystallinity properties, surface morphology, binding energy, and light absorption capability, and analysed for TC degradation efficiency. The 25FeS/MX-450 composite among all samples demonstrated a superior efficiency in TC photocatalytic removal (98%) under optimised conditions (TC degradation: 39.75 mg/L, time: 68.28 min, pH: 5.57, catalyst dosage: 0.75 g/L). The developed surface area, with a reduced band gap due to FeS nanoparticles incorporation with improved light absorption within the visible spectrum, played a crucial role in the 25FeS/MX-450 heterostructure matrix, enhancing photogenerated carriers’ separation and transportation capabilities. The tetracycline photoreduction mechanism involved electron transfer from FeS to the surface of MXene, engaging with O2 to produce •O2−, attributed to the high electron mobility of MXene. Our findings for such nano-photocomposites materials can underscore the considerable potential of MXene-based nanomaterials for pharmaceutical removal from waterways.

Predesign of Covalent-Organic Frameworks for Efficient Photocatalytic Dehydrogenative Cross-Coupling Reaction.

The dehydrogenative cross-coupling reaction is the premier route for synthesizing important 4-quinazolinone drugs. However, it usually requires high reaction temperature and long reaction time, and the yield of the final product is low. Here two stable and photosensitive covalent-organic frameworks (COFs), TAPP-An and TAPP-Cu-An are purposefully designed and constructed to serve as unprecedented heterogeneous tandem catalysts to complete dehydrogenative cross-coupling reactions in a short time and under mild reaction conditions (room temperature and light), leading to the high-efficient photosynthesis of 4-quinazolinones. Particularly, TAPP-Cu-An is the best heterogeneous catalyst currently available for the synthesis of 4-quinazolinones, even surpassing all the catalysts reported so far. It also enables one-step photosynthesis of 4-quinazolinones with higher conversion (>99%) and selectivity (>99%) in a shorter time, and the product can be easily prepared on a gram scale. Extensive experiments combined with theoretical calculations show that the excellent photogenerated charge separation and transport capability, as well as the synergistic An-Cu catalysis in TAPP-Cu-An are the main driving forces for this efficient reaction.

Non‐Radical Mediated Photocatalytic H2O2 Synthesis in Conjugate‐Enhanced Phenolic Resins with Ultrafast Charge Separation

It is essential for the development of highly efficient polymeric photocatalysts for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production. Nevertheless, the non‐uniform molecular structures and sluggish reaction pathway of polymeric photocatalysts lead to low conversion efficiency. In this work, we report sulfur‐contained phenolic resins with regulated conjugation for photocatalytic H2O2 production. Due to the substitution of sulfur for methylene in the phenolic resin structure, the conjugation degree of the material is adjusted, resulting in the formation of a built‐in electric field. This effectively enhances the charge separation capability, enabling charge carriers to react faster with substrates. Through in‐situ characterization and theoretical calculations, we have unveiled that the introduction of sulfur can modulate the reaction pathway of phenolic resin materials, enabling a dual‐pathway photocatalytic H2O2 production mediated by non‐radical species. Impressively, the sulfur‐contained resin photocatalyst showcases exceptional H2O2 production activity with a solar‐to‐chemical conversion efficiency of 1.4% exceeding most reported systems, and generates 25 mmol m‐2 of H2O2 under natural sunlight through large‐scale equipment. This work provides a facile strategy to separate the photogenerated electron–hole pairs of polymer photocatalysts to achieve efficient artificial photosynthesis.

Isolation of Biomolecules Using MXenes.

Biomolecule isolation is a crucial process in diverse biomedical and biochemical applications, including diagnostics, therapeutics, research, and manufacturing. Recently, MXenes, a novel class of two-dimensional nanomaterials, have emerged as promising adsorbents for this purpose due to their unique physicochemical properties. These biocompatible and antibacterial nanomaterials feature a high aspect ratio, excellent conductivity, and versatile surface chemistry. This timely review explores the potential of MXenes for isolating a wide range of biomolecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and small molecules, while highlighting key future research trends and innovative applications poised to transform the field. This review provides an in-depth discussion of various synthesis methods and functionalization techniques that enhance the specificity and efficiency of MXenes in biomolecule isolation. In addition, the mechanisms by which MXenes interact with biomolecules are elucidated, offering insights into their selective adsorption and customized separation capabilities. This review also addresses recent advancements, identifies existing challenges, and examines emerging trends that may drive the next wave of innovation in this rapidly evolving area.

Non-Radical Mediated Photocatalytic H2O2 Synthesis in Conjugate-Enhanced Phenolic Resins with Ultrafast Charge Separation.

It is essential for the development of highly efficient polymeric photocatalysts for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production. Nevertheless, the non-uniform molecular structures and sluggish reaction pathway of polymeric photocatalysts lead to low conversion efficiency. In this work, we report sulfur-contained phenolic resins with regulated conjugation for photocatalytic H2O2 production. Due to the substitution of sulfur for methylene in the phenolic resin structure, the conjugation degree of the material is adjusted, resulting in the formation of a built-in electric field. This effectively enhances the charge separation capability, enabling charge carriers to react faster with substrates. Through in-situ characterization and theoretical calculations, we have unveiled that the introduction of sulfur can modulate the reaction pathway of phenolic resin materials, enabling a dual-pathway photocatalytic H2O2 production mediated by non-radical species. Impressively, the sulfur-contained resin photocatalyst showcases exceptional H2O2 production activity with a solar-to-chemical conversion efficiency of 1.4% exceeding most reported systems, and generates 25 mmol m-2 of H2O2 under natural sunlight through large-scale equipment. This work provides a facile strategy to separate the photogenerated electron-hole pairs of polymer photocatalysts to achieve efficient artificial photosynthesis.

Advances in High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC)

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) are fundamental analytical techniques that have revolutionized chemical analysis across various fields. These chromatographic methods offer exceptional separation capabilities, high resolution, and precise quantification of complex mixtures. HPLC has evolved significantly since its inception, with improvements in column technology, detection systems, and automation. UPLC, introduced as an advancement to conventional HPLC, operates at significantly higher pressures using sub-2-μm particle sizes, resulting in enhanced resolution, speed, and sensitivity. Both techniques have found extensive applications in pharmaceutical analysis, environmental monitoring, food safety, clinical diagnostics, and biomedical research. The implementation of various detection methods, including UV-visible, fluorescence, mass spectrometry, and electrochemical detection, has expanded their analytical capabilities. Recent developments in column technology, such as core-shell particles and monolithic columns, have further improved separation efficiency. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning has enhanced method development and data analysis. This review discusses the fundamental principles, technological advancements, and diverse applications of HPLC and UPLC. Additionally, it discusses current challenges, emerging trends, and future prospects in chromatographic science, including green chromatography initiatives and miniaturization efforts. The continuous evolution of these techniques contributes significantly to analytical chemistry's advancement, promising even more sophisticated applications in various scientific disciplines.

A Review of Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and its Applications in Chemical Analysis

Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) has emerged as a powerful analytical technique combining the separation capabilities of liquid chromatography with the high sensitivity and selectivity of mass spectrometry. This sophisticated instrumentation enables precise identification and quantification of complex chemical mixtures across diverse fields including pharmaceuticals, environmental monitoring, food safety, and biological research. Modern LC-MS systems offer enhanced resolution, improved ionization methods, and sophisticated mass analyzers that facilitate accurate molecular weight determination and structural elucidation of compounds. Recent technological advancements have led to the development of ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) systems coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometers, enabling faster analysis times and improved detection limits. The versatility of LC-MS is demonstrated through its applications in proteomics, metabolomics, drug development, and quality control processes. Integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms has further enhanced data processing capabilities, allowing for automated peak identification and complex mixture analysis. The continuous evolution of LC-MS technology has addressed previous limitations in ionization efficiency, matrix effects, and quantification accuracy. This analytical technique has revolutionized chemical analysis by providing comprehensive molecular information, making it an indispensable tool in modern analytical laboratories.

Enhancing full-waveform inversion of field GPR data: A source-independent approach with dynamic reference selection via SE-Wave-U-Net

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a widely used nondestructive detection tool. Full-waveform inversion (FWI) offers a reliable algorithm for accurately imaging GPR data. Despite its potential, FWI’s effectiveness is often compromised by unknown excitation sources, which can lead to computational failures, diminished imaging accuracy, or both. Addressing this challenge, this paper introduces a convolution-type objective function designed to mitigate the detrimental effects of these unknown excitation sources on FWI imaging. Critical to the success of this function is the precise selection of reference traces. Further refining the capability for signal separation, we have integrated squeeze-and-excitation (SE) modules into the traditional Wave-U-Net architecture, culminating in the development of the SE-Wave-U-Net framework. This framework is adept at dynamically extracting accurate reference traces from field GPR data, which are essential for accurate FWI imaging. The efficacy, accuracy, and practical applicability of our methods are validated through extensive analysis of numerical, laboratory experiments, and field GPR data. Our algorithm not only establishes a high-precision computational framework for FWI but also enhances the reliability of GPR imaging in complex environments.

Specific capture of magnesium ions by phosphorus atomic sites on self-floating nuclei advances Mg/Li separation in salt lakes brine

Efficient magnesium-lithium separation is a critical step in extracting lithium ions from salt lakes brine. Precipitation of Mg2+ from liquid to solid is the simplest separation method, but a side reaction of Li+ adsorption by precipitated floc leads to incomplete Mg/Li separation and lithium loss. In this study, we grafted phosphorus atomic sites onto silica-based nuclei with self-floating separation capability to prepare adsorbents with specific capture ability for Mg2+, achieving efficient Mg/Li separation from brine. Surface composition analysis shows that the content of P element is 0.99 %, which contributed 82.20 mg g⁻1 of Mg2+ adsorption capacity of at room temperature. During this process, the content of Na and Ca elements in the material decreased by 1.47 % and 0.85 %, respectively, due to ion exchange and surface coverage. In samples of the same water quality as Smackover brine, the Li content in the Mg2+-captured material was only 3.20 % of that in directly precipitated Mg(OH)2, due to the adsorption selectivity coefficient of the material for Mg²⁺ to Li⁺ reaching 62.26. The outcomes of this research enlighten the selective capture ability and mechanism of phosphorus atomic sites for Mg2+, providing new insights for efficient Mg/Li separation from salt lakes to improve raw brain grade.

Nanoscale Poly(Dopamine)‐Modified ZIF‐8 Particle Hybrid Solvent‐Resistant Thin Film Nanocomposite (TFN) Membranes via Interfacial Polymerization on a Robust Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) Substrate

ABSTRACTThis study introduces an innovative approach to fabricating a poly ether ketone (PEEK)‐based thin‐film nanocomposite (TFN) nanofiltration membrane. Ultrafine polydopamine (PDA) modified zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) nanoparticles were integrated into the polyamide (PA) layer through a process of interfacial polymerization. The impacts of PDA@ZIF‐8 nanoparticle loading on composite membranes were examined, and their separation performances with different solvents and small molecular organics with various molecular weights and charges were evaluated. The PDA modification is credited with inducing a thinner, less crosslinked PA layer, culminating in the formation of a selective barrier that is both loose and ultra‐thin, improving the separation capabilities of membranes. The TFN‐3 membrane, with a 0.01 wt% loading of PDA@ZIF‐8 nanoparticles, emerged as a standout, demonstrating notably enhanced hydrophilicity. The pure water and organic solvent permeances through the TFN‐3 membrane were remarkably enhanced, with recorded values of 6.19 ± 0.26 L h−1 m−2 bar−1 for pure water and 3.44 ± 0.21 L h−1 m−2 bar−1 for methanol. Furthermore, the TFN‐3 membrane showcased impressive molecular retention in ethanol solutions for compounds with a molecular weight cut‐off (MWCO) of 464 g/mol. The PEEK‐based TFN‐3 membrane also exhibited exceptional creep resistance, ensuring consistent performance during long‐term testing. In a 5‐day ethanol separation test, the TFN‐3 membrane maintained a Rose Bengal (RB) retention rate exceeding 99%, underscoring its stability and reliability. The newly developed PEEK‐based TFN membrane not only promises robust solvent resistance and stability but also delivers efficient separation and purification capabilities. It holds great potential for offering effective and sustainable solutions across a spectrum of industries, particularly in pharmaceutical production and chemical processing, where the separation, recovery, and purification of solvents are paramount.

Simultaneous photocatalytic treatment of wastewater containing uranium(VI) and tannic acid by ultrathin Bi2WO6/Bi2MoO6 heterojunction

In uranium(VI) (U(VI)) photoreduction, it is still a challenge to simultaneously degrade naturally coexisting organics and explore their impact on U(VI) photoreduction. Meanwhile, how to boost the separation and transport capability of photo-induced carriers is also a hot topic of current research. In this work, an ultrathin Bi2WO6/Bi2MoO6 Z-type heterojunction was developed for the simultaneous treatment of U(VI) and its co-existing organics (tannic acid (TA)). Ultrathin interface engineering increased the contact area and shortened the transmission distance of photo-induced carriers. As a result, ultrathin Bi2WO6/Bi2MoO6 exhibited highly efficient U(VI) removal rate (95.8 %) and TA degradation rate (97.2 %), which were much higher than those of bulk Bi2WO6/Bi2MoO6 and single ultrathin Bi2WO6. In addition, the material possessed excellent stability and recyclability. Importantly, TA not only enhanced U(VI) removal by eliminating holes, but also favored U(VI) removal by serving as a bridge to the catalyst for U(VI) adsorption. Finally, a new mechanism was proposed.

Investigating the Optimal Membrane-Based Separation of Cynaroside From Peony Seed Meals and Assessing Its Biomedical Implications.

This comprehensive study focused on evaluating and selecting seven distinct commercial membranes to develop BTESE/PA membranes. This method effectively facilitated the extraction of cynaroside from the complex composition of peony seed meal. We subsequently conducted a thorough investigation into its biological properties. These findings establish a robust foundation for future research and the development of related products. The peak concentration achieved by peony seed meal filtration (PSMF) was 234.84 ± 1.17 μg/mL. Among the commercial membranes evaluated, the PA membrane exhibited superior separation capabilities, leading to its selection for BTESE loading. Compared with BTESE treated with HCl and NH3, the HCl variant, once incorporated into the BTESE/PA membrane, enhanced cynaroside separation, achieving an impressive 90.23% recovery rate. A comprehensive investigation of the biological effects of cynaroside revealed its crucial antioxidant role, especially in SOD binding. Additionally, cynaroside has the potential to induce apoptosis in K562 cells through interactions with BCL-2 and CDK-2 enzymes. Pharmacophore screening revealed the affinity of cynaroside for the PDE5A, TNKS2, and DAPK1 proteins, suggesting that it has diverse potential applications.

Fabrication of an antibacterial polybenzimidazole/Ag@UiO-66-NH2 mixed matrix membrane for dye-salt separation: Solvent evaporation effects

In textile water treatment, nanofiltration membranes are susceptible to biofilm layer formation on their surface due to microbial colonization, which can significantly reduce the separation efficiency of the membrane. Therefore, maintaining long-term antimicrobial efficacy of the membrane is of paramount importance. In this study, UiO-66-NH2 nanoparticles were fabricated via the solvothermal method, then Ag-loaded UiO-66-NH2 (Ag@UiO-66-NH2) nanoparticles were produced by stirring and reduction with silver nitrate solution, and the nanoparticles were integrated into the polybenzimidazole (PBI) matrix through a blending process to fabricate mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) with antimicrobial properties. During the preparation of mixed matrix membranes, the phenomenon of nanoparticle agglomeration on the membrane surface is frequently encountered. In order to solve this problem, we used solvent evaporation and cross-linking post-treatment methods to further improve the compatibility between the membrane and the particles, the membranes showed a good water flux (53.7 L·m−2·h−1), excellent separation capabilities for dyes and salts, NaCl rejection (9.50 %), Na2SO4 rejection (12.70 %), MgCl2 rejection (7.44 %), MgSO4 rejection (9.34 %), Crystal violet, Acid fuchsin, Congo red, Coomassie brilliant blue and Acid red 94 dyes rejection (all over 99 %). And the antibacterial rate is 98.7 % against E. coli and 99.1 % against S. aureus and it has the function of long-term stable Ag+ release.