Sodium Lignosulfonate Research Articles

Sodium lignosulfonate-assisted alkaline hydrothermal pretreatment improves the production of humic-like substances from lignocellulosic biomass waste residues

In order to provide key precursors for humic-like substances formation via alkaline hydrothermal pretreatment (AHP), this study introduced an innovative approach by incorporating sodium lignosulfonate (SL) into the AHP to boost the production of humic-like acid (HLA) and fulvic-like acid (FLA) from biomass wastes. The SL-AHP conditions were optimized, and structural analysis of HLA was performed. The highest HLA yield reached 21.90 %, and FLA content reached 13.38 g/L after SL-AHP at 200 °C for 2 h with 15 g/L SL. The inclusion of SL led to a 19.67 % increase in HLA yield and a 5.25-fold enhancement in FLA content compared to that without SL. The probable reason underlying SL's facilitation of HLA and FLA formation involved the effective dissolution of lignin and hemicelluloses to produce more precursors, as well as the incorporation of SL structure into the HLA molecule. SL acted as both a surfactant and a precursor for the production of HLA and FLA. In addition, an increase in acidic groups improved the quality of HLA.

Sustainable supercapacitors of sulfur-doped carbon from environmentally friendly sodium lignosulfonate impregnated with bacterial cellulose

The use of sustainable natural sources to fabricate porous carbon materials has garnered significant interest in energy storage. This study proposes a method for synthesizing sulfur-doped porous carbon (S‑carbon) materials via the carbonization of bacterial cellulose (BC) impregnated with sodium lignosulfonate (LS), which functions as a renewable source of both carbon and sulfur, eliminating the need for external activation processes. The carbonization process yielded S‑carbon with a notable sulfur content of 1.4 % and a high specific surface area of 650 m2/g. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images reveal fibrous carbon structures with mesopores and micropores in the S‑carbon material. Electrochemically, S‑carbon exhibited an impressive specific capacitance of 272.6 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A/g and demonstrated outstanding cycling stability, retaining 86 % of its capacitance after 5000 cycles at a current density of 6 A/g in a 3 M KOH electrolyte. The development of sulfur-doped fibrous carbon from BC-LS offers promising potential as a sustainable electrode material for supercapacitors.

LiF-enriched interphase promotes Li+ desolvation and transportation enabling high-performance carbon anode under wide-range temperature

Li-ion batteries (LIBs) have made inroads into the electric vehicle area with high energy densities, but they still suffer from slow kinetics of Li+ limited by the graphite anode especially at high current density and low-temperature conditions. Sluggish de-solvation of Li+ at the electrode surface and slow Li+ transfer in solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) are main determining factors that restrict the fast-charging and low-temperature performance of graphite-based LIBs. Here, we construct the sodium lignosulfonate layer with abundant polar functional groups on the lithium-montmorillonite surface, which can make it simple for electrons transfer to promote in-situ formation of LiF-based SEI with high ionic conductivity. The thin and robust LiF-based SEI promotes the de-solvation of Li salts and Li+ transfer as proved by the comprehensive electrochemical studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Consequently, a combination of excellent stability and fast-charging ability for LIBs at room and low temperatures is achieved. The designed anode shows the remarkable capacity of 1500 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g, which was 3–4 times better than the commercial graphite. At the high current density of 5 A/g, it can still keep stable with the capacity retention of 70 % after 7000 cycles. Besides, an impressive 70 % of their room-temperature capacity is attained at −10 °C and 150 mAh/g is achieved under the extremely low temperature of −40 °C. This study establishes the effective strategy to construct the LiF-rich interface on the surface of anode to improve the Li+ kinetics and stability of the battery.

A facile and greener approach for synthesis of lignin capped-silver nanoparticles (LS-AgNPs) and assessment of their antibacterial and antioxidant properties

Silver nanoparticles have garnered significant attention in research due to their numerous advantageous qualities, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. Several methods have been employed previously to produce these nanoparticles, but green synthesis has gained prominence due to its lack of harmful by-products. In this study, stable and biocompatible lignin-capped silver nanoparticles (LS-AgNPs) have been synthesized using a green approach that utilized nontoxic sodium lignosulfonate as both the reducing and capping agents. Various process parameters, such as pH, temperature, time, and raw material concentration have been optimized to simplify, accelerate and mould the synthesis activity easy and eco-friendly. The morphology and dimensions of the prepared lignin-capped silver nanoparticles (LS-AgNPs) have been characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, particle size analyser, X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy. The produced nanoparticles have an average diameter of 24 nm and a FCC crystalline structure that is capped with lignin components. MBC of LS-AgNPs has been found 4 and 6 ppm against S. aureus and E. coli bacteria, respectively. The IC50 value for antioxidant property has been found 34.37 μg/mL. In summary, the prepared LS-AgNPs have exhibited a synergistic effect resulting from the combination of lignosulfonate and silver particles. The synergistic effect not only enhances antimicrobial activity and antioxidant property remarkably, this approach enables the utilization of biobased silver nanoparticles for various applications with its requirement of minimal quantity to have much lowered toxicity compared to pure silver nanoparticles.

Sustainable Synthesis of a Carbon-Supported Magnetite Nanocomposite Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Transition metal oxide magnetite (Fe3O4) is recognized as a potential anode material for lithium-ion batteries owing to its high theoretical specific capacity, modest voltage output, and eco-friendly character. It is a challenging task to engineer high-performance composite materials by effectively dispersing Fe3O4 crystals with limited sizes in a well-designed supporting framework following sustainable approaches. In this work, the naturally abundant plant products sodium lignosulfonate (Lig) and sodium cellulose (CMC) were selected to coprecipitate with Fe3+ ions under mild hydrothermal conditions. The Fe-Lig/CMC intermediate sediment with an optimized microstructure can be directly converted to the Lig/CMC-derived carbon matrix-supported Fe3O4 nanocomposite sample (Fe3O4@LigC/CC). Compared with the controlled Fe3O4@LigC material, the Fe3O4@LigC/CC nanocomposite provides superior electrochemical performance in the anode, which has inspiring specific capacities of 820.6 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles under a current rate of 100 mA·g−1 and 750.5 mAh g−1 after 250 cycles, as well as more exciting rate capabilities. The biomimetic sample design and synthesis protocol closely follow the criteria of green chemistry and can be further developed in wider scenarios.

Engineering high-performance and multifunctional seed coating agents from lignocellulosic components

The use of natural polymers, such as biomass, as an alternative to non-renewable polymer attracts a growing interest in sustainable agricultural production. Seed coating, an important treatment for enhancing crop performance, could be an environmentally-friendly and promising option when utilizing materials based on natural polymers. Herein, biomass-based seed coating agents derived from cellulose and lignin through a simple process were developed. Carboxymethyl cellulose was used as the primary substrate for membrane formation, supplemented with sodium lignosulfonate as an additive to enhance its mechanic and anti-UV properties. The prepared seed coating agents showed promising film-forming property, flexibility, and water retention capacity. Furthermore, these agents were effective in controlled release and anti-UV performances for pesticides encapsulated in it. Additionally, the thickness of the seed coat could be finely tuned by controlling the soaking time, and therefore resulting in an adjustable germination time. More importantly, the agents demonstrated natural degradability with nearly 80 % degradation at 60 days. It is concluded that the seed coating agents prepared provides new insight into the use of biomass-based materials in sustainable agricultural systems.

A Fast Self-Healing Binder for Highly Stable SiOx Anodes in Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Silicon oxide-based (SiOx-based) materials show great promise as anodes for high-energy lithium-ion batteries due to their high specific capacity. However, their practical application is hindered by the inevitable volumetric expansion during the lithiation/delithiation process. Constructing high-performance binders for SiOx-based anodes has been regarded as an efficient strategy to mitigate their volume expansion and preserve structural integrity. In this work, we propose a green water-solution PAA-LS binder composed of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and sodium lignosulfonate (LS) with fast self-healing properties. The designed binder can be restored due to the strong affinity between Fe3+-catechol coordination bonds, thereby effectively alleviating the volumetric strain of SiOx-based anodes. Notably, with an optimized LS content of 0.5%, the SiOx@PAA-LS electrode exhibits excellent performance, delivering a high capacity of 997.3 mAh g-1 after 450 cycles at 0.5 A g-1. Furthermore, the SiOx||NCM622 full cell also demonstrates superior cycling stability, maintaining a discharge capacity of 147.58 mAh g-1 after 100 cycles at 0.5 A g-1, with an impressive capacity retention rate of 82.72%.

Study on matching of dispersant for high concentration and high stability slurry from Shenhua nonstick coal

ABSTRACT Shenhua Nonstick Coal (SNC) has a relatively shallow degree of metamorphism and faces challenges in forming coal-water slurry. In this study, sodium lignosulfonate (SLS), sulfonated acetone-formaldehyde condensate (SAF), and naphthalene sulfonate-formaldehyde condensate (NSF) were selected for slurry formation experiments with SNC to explore the match between the addition of single dispersant and compound dispersant with Shenhua coal. The experimental results showed that NSF had the highest slurry formation concentration and the best adsorption performance when a single dispersant was added, while SLS showed better rheology and stability, and better wetting performance. With the addition of the compound dispersant NSF: SLS of 9:1 and 0.8 wt.%, the coal water slurry concentration was as high as 61.95% under its synergistic effect, and its stability and wettability were stronger. The interaction relationship between the two dispersants produced a larger absolute value of ζ potential and stronger electrostatic repulsion, which matched Shenhua coal with the dispersant better and formed a more stable slurry structure.

Defect-rich N, S Co-doped porous carbon with hierarchical channel network for ultrafast capacitive deionization

Developing an eco-friendly and effective approach for preparing N, S co-doped hierarchical porous carbons (NSHPC) for capacitive deionization (CDI) is a huge task for desalination. Herein, NSHPCSKK with interconnected hierarchical pore structures, manufactured via self-activation/co-activation of sodium lignosulfonate (SLS) encapsulation using KNO3-KHCO3 activators, inducing N, S co-doping. Different from NSHPCS and NSHPCSK, NSHPCSKK exhibits the highest specific surface area (SBET, 2264.67 m2/g) and a unique hierarchical pore structure (mesoporous volume/pore volume (Vmeso/ Vpore), 0.65). Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) both reveal the complex interconnected pore structure of NSHPCSKK. Regional Raman imaging conjugated with XPS reveals the presence of extensively distributed N, S co-doped defect structures, providing NSHPCSKK with excellent wettability and electrochemical performance. DFT calculations indicate that the N, S co-doping at the defect sites depicts excellent adsorption capability. Eventually, NSHPCSKK acquired an impressive salt adsorption capacity (SAC) of 20.5 mg/g and the highest average salt adsorption rate (ASAR) of 12.1 mg/g/min, indicating its superior desalting performance. In-situ Raman spectroscopy confirms NSHPCSKK’s rapid ion regeneration mechanism. The research introduces a span-new NSHPC synthesis strategy for fabricating advanced NSHPC with rapid desalination response for upgrading CDI desalination.

New Insights on the Understanding of Sulfur-Containing Coal Flotation Desulfurization

The clean and efficient utilization of coal is a promising way to achieve carbon neutrality. Coking coal is a scarce resource and an important raw material in the steel industry. However, the presence of pyrite sulfur affects its clean utilization. Nonetheless, this pyrite could be removed using depressants during flotation. Commonly used organic depressants (sodium lignosulfonate (SL), calcium lignosulfonate (CL), and pyrogallol (PY)) and inorganic depressants (calcium oxide (CaO) and calcium hypochlorite (Ca(ClO)2)) were chosen in this study. Their inhibition mechanism was discussed using FTIR, XPS, and molecular dynamics (MD) methods. The desulfurization ability of organic depressants was shown to be better than inorganic ones. Among the organic depressants, PY proved to be advantageous in terms of low dosage. Physical adsorption was identified as the main interaction form of SL, CL, and PY onto the surface of pyrite, as evidenced from FTIR and XPS analyses. Similarly, MD simulation results showed that hydrogen bonds played a proactive role in the interactions between PY and pyrite. The diffusion coefficient of water molecules on the pyrite surface was also observed to decrease when organic depressants were present, indicating an increase in the hydrophilicity of pyrite. This research is of great significance to utilize sulfur-containing coal and minerals.

Valorisation of sodium lignosulfonate from wood pulping industries for the enhancement of moisture management properties of nylon fabric

Nylon fabric has poor moisture management properties due to the absence of hydroxyl groups. In this work, an attempt has been made to enhance the moisture management properties of nylon fabric using sodium lignosulfonate (SLS). SLS is an essential by-product of the wood pulping industry. Various concentrations of the SLS were prepared in an aqueous medium, and the nylon fabric was treated with them using the exhaust method. The effects of the parameters of the treatment process are analyzed using Box–Behnken response surface design of experiment and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Upon testing the water vapour transmittance rate (WVTR), it was found that the SLS treatment is efficacious in improving moisture management. Water contact angle is reduced to 10.6° from 105.3° after the coating, which proves the achievement of hydrophilic surface. The average wetting time of nylon fabrics decreased by 78% after the SLS treatment. A significant increase in the bending modulus, flexural rigidity, and coefficient of the SLS-treated fabrics is observed when SLS concentration is high. After the SLS treatment, wetting time decreases, absorption rate increases, spreading speed increases, and overall moisture management capacity (OMMC) increases significantly. The SLS coating over the nylon surface is found to be durable with excellent rating for light and washing fastness.

Sustainable lignosulfonate-modified PA6.6 fabrics to improve durable flame retardancy, hydrophilicity and mechanical performance

Creating durable flame retardancy, enhanced mechanical performance, and hydrophilic polyamide 6.6 (PA6.6) textiles via cost-effectiveness from sustainable renewable sources is a considerable challenge. This study introduces a pretreatment process involving the application of sodium lignosulfonate (LS) to the surface of PA6.6 fabrics, thereby enhancing their hydrophilic and flame-retardant properties. Subsequently, a layer-by-layer (LbL) nanocoating treatment is employed, utilizing renewable polyelectrolytes—chitosan (CS), LS, and poly (sodium phosphate) (PSP)—to create 8-bilayer (BL) and 4-quarda layer (QL) structures that further improve the hydrophilicity and durable flame resistance of PA6.6 fabrics. The combined LS-modified and LbL coatings notably increased the limiting oxygen index (LOI) values from 19.5 % to 22.5 %, eliminated melt dripping, and secured a V-1 rating in the vertical burning (UL-94) tests. Moreover, the treated fabrics exhibited a 43 % reduction in the peak heat release rate (PHRR) and a lower fire growth rate (FGR) of 0.84 W/g·s, with a significant increase in char yield% in both air and nitrogen (N2) atmospheres. A cross-linked network structure is responsible for the superior hydrophilicity, enhanced tensile strength, and fabric softening properties. The self-crosslinking of sulfur-containing radicals with amide units ensures an anti-dripping performance that can withstand up to 30 home laundering cycles, demonstrating remarkable washing durability. However, a convincing approach has been developed for sustainable and high-performance materials for the textile industry, and a simple LbL technique using renewable polyelectrolytes that have traditionally been utilized in water treatment and food processing has been developed.

Preparation and Characterization of Urea-Modified Lignin-Derived Porous Carbon Materials and their CO<sub>2</sub> Adsorption Properties

Present study, activated carbon was precarbonised and chemically activated to prepare activated charcoal from different lignins , and their adsorption properties had been investigated. The influences of carbon source selection with urea modification on the CO2 adsorption performance of the materials were investigated. The selectivity, warmth of adsorption and cyclic steadiness of the materials had been in addition tested. The urea-modified porous carbon materials were prepared using dealkylated lignin (LCC), calcium lignosulfonate (CLS) and sodium lignosulfonate (SLS) as carbon precursors, KOH as activator and urea as nitrogen dopant. The CO2 adsorption values of the LCC-0.5N samples had been 5.52 mmol/g and 3.90 mmol/g at 1 bar, 273 K and 298 K, respectively, and were obtained in 10 successive adsorption-desorption cycles. The CO2 adsorption ability remained stable and greater than 110 mg/g after 10 consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles.

Development of sustainable Lignin-Based coatings for layered double Hydroxides: Enhancing synergistic Anti-Aging properties in bitumen

Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) have poor dispersibility in bitumen and limited effectiveness in enhancing its thermal oxidative aging resistance. To address these issues, this study aims to purify lignin to improve its radical scavenging efficiency and use the purified lignin to coat LDHs (Φ@LDHs), thereby increasing their lipophilicity and radical scavenging efficiency for use in bitumen. sodium lignosulfonate (SL) was fractionated into five parts using a stepwise water/ethanol fractionation method, and these fractions were then applied to coat the LDHs to produce Φ@LDHs. The morphology, antioxidant activity, and chemical structure of Φ@LDHs were analyzed. Subsequently, the effect of Φ@LDHs on the aging properties of bitumen was evaluated. The test results indicated that SL and its fractions effectively coated the surfaces of LDHs, thereby enhancing their interlayer spacing and hydrophobicity. Among all fractions, lower molecular weight fractions, F4 and F5, retained most of the phenolic hydroxyl groups in SL, demonstrating significant antioxidant activities. The incorporation of F4@LDHs and F5@LDHs effectively mitigated changes in rheological properties of bitumen and oxidation product formation during thermal oxidation and UV aging, with F5@LDHs showing the best performance. Furthermore, a synergistic anti-aging mechanism was elucidated for the F4@LDHs and F5@LDHs composites. The purified F4 and F5 fractions not only improved the compatibility of LDHs with bitumen but also delayed the oxidative reactions initiated by free radicals to achieve a synergistic anti-aging effect.

Hybrid Powder‐Based Additive Manufacturing of Laser‐Induced Graphene 3D Architectures with Tunable Porous Microstructures from Waste Sources of Black Liquor and White Pollution

AbstractMacroscopic 3D‐controllable graphene (3D‐CG) architectures not only retain the intrinsic properties of graphene sheets but also exhibit structural advantages for pollutant adsorption and energy storage. This paper proposes a novel hybrid powder‐based additive manufacturing method to fabricate 3D biomass‐derived laser‐induced graphene (3D B‐LIG) structures with customizable geometries and microporous features. This method utilizes two waste sources as feedstock precursors for sustainable graphene production: “black liquor” (sodium lignosulfonate, NaLS) and “white pollution” (polypropylene, PP). Employing a computer‐aided design process, this method allows for the synchronous creation of various freeform macrostructures, with either identical or variable sections. To optimize the formability and processing efficiency of 3D B‐LIG, systematic studies have been conducted. These studies establish the relationship between processing parameters and the resulting structures by controlling the laser parameters and the mixing ratio of NaLS and PP. By leveraging tunable microporous structures with a maximized specific surface area of 485.3 m2 g−1, 3D B‐LIG demonstrates exceptional performance in pollutant adsorption (with a maximum adsorption capacity of 283.3 mg g−1 for methylene blue) and energy storage (with a gravimetric specific capacitance value of 194.9 F g−1).

Thermal stability and thermal degradation kinetics of urea-formaldehyde resin modified by sodium lignosulfonate

ABSTRACT In this paper, an environmentally friendly urea-formaldehyde resin (UF) was prepared by using sodium lignosulfonate (SL) as a modifier. According to the basic properties of the resin, the strength of the plywood and the formaldehyde emission, the optimum addition amount of SL was determined. At the same time, the thermal curing and thermal degradation behavior of the resin were studied. The results show that the addition of SL can significantly reduce the formaldehyde emission of plywood. When the addition amount of SL was 1%, the wet bonding strength and formaldehyde emission of SL-modified UF (SL-UF) resin were 1.28 MPa and 0.35 mg·L−1, respectively, which were 23% higher and 71% lower than those of UF resin. Moreover, the initial curing temperature of SL-UF resin is lower, but the thermal curing activation energy is higher. SL also has a significant effect on the thermal degradation performance of UF resin. SL is a modifier that can effectively improve the performance of UF.

Epoxy resin gel particles with adjustable stickiness and deformability for pesticide delivery

It is essential to develop a pesticide delivery system with a simple preparation process and strong leaf retention capability. In this study, epoxy resin (ER) was modified with alcohols with different carbon chain lengths through a one-step reaction to synthesize modified prepolymers (ModER). Among these, the ER modified by dodecanol (ER/Dodecanol) exhibited high flexibility, exceptional stickiness and the highest surface free energy. Subsequently, the organic phase containing emamectin benzoate (EB) and ModER was directly mixed with the aqueous phase containing sodium lignosulfonate (SL) to instantaneously obtain pesticide-loaded epoxy resin gel particles (ModERMP) through self-emulsification and electrostatic interaction. ER/Dodecanol loaded with EB (EB@ER/Dodecanol) had excellent flexibility. The particles underwent significant flattening, transitioning from micron-sized spherical particles to “biscuit-type” particles with nanoscale thickness. EB@ER/Dodecanol exhibited outstanding stickiness, enabling it to adhere to the mouthparts and legs of insects, thereby impacting their feeding behavior. Compared with that of the control, the leaf feeding rate for the experimental group was decreased by 9.36%. EB@ER/Dodecanol also had affinity for foliar micro/nanostructures while displaying excellent washout resistance. Following washing, the residue rate increased by 33.7% compared to that of the emulsifiable concentrate (EC). Furthermore, EB@ER/Dodecanol had excellent insecticidal activity both before and after washout. ModERMP represents a simple preparation process with robust washout resistance, thereby enhancing pesticide utilization rates.

Lignin hydrogel sensor with anti-dehydration, anti-freezing, and reproducible adhesion prepared based on the room-temperature induction of zinc chloride-lignin redox system

In recent years, flexible sensors constructed mainly from hydrogels have received increasing attention. However, conventional hydrogels need to be prepared by high-temperature or radiation-induced polymerization reactions, which limits their practical applications due to their suboptimal electrical conductivity and weak mechanical properties. In this paper, using sodium lignosulfonate as the raw material, a dynamic catechol-quinone redox system formed by lignin‑zinc ions was constructed to initiate rapid free radical polymerization of acrylamide (AM) monomer at room temperature. In addition, Deep eutectic solvent (DES) can form a strong hydrogen bonding network within the molecules and between the molecules of the hydrogel, resulting in a hydrogel with good tensile properties (hydrogel elongation at break of 727.19 %, breaking strength of 84.09 kPa), and provides the hydrogel with high electrical conductivity, anti-dehydration, anti-freezing, and anti-bacterial properties. Meanwhile, the addition of lignin also improved the adhesion and UV resistance of the hydrogel. This hydrogel assembled into a flexible sensor can sense various small and large amplitude movements such as nodding, smiling, frowning, etc., and has a wide range of applications in flexible sensors.

Synergistic mechanisms of lignin-based novel materials and leaf-surface selenium fertilizer in alleviating drought and heavy metal stress

Drought and heavy metal stress threaten sustainable crop production and ecosystems, highlighting the urgent need for resilient agricultural practices. The synthesis of lignin-based hydrogel (L-GH) and foliar selenium (Se) offers a potential solution to mitigate these adverse effects. However, comprehensive research on their applications in alleviating drought stress, remediating heavy metals, and enhancing crop production is limited. To address these gaps, the optimal ratio for L-GH synthesis using sodium lignosulfonate (L) and γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) as raw materials was determined through the response surface method (RSM). The synthesis mechanism and possible functional groups and structures of L-GH were identified by Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and other characterization techniques. A pot experiment assessed the effects of L-GH (L0=0; L1=0.2 %; and L2=0.5 %) and foliar Se (L0=0; Se=3 mg.L−1) under drought (H=75 % control; HA=45 % field water capacity) on Chinese broccoli growth and the uptake of heavy metals cadmium, copper, zinc (Cd, Cu, Zn). Results indicated that L-GH hydrogel, with a layered porous structure and hydrophilic functional groups, achieved a water absorption rate of 389.17 g.g−1. Under drought and heavy metal stress, L-GH combined with Se effectively reduced the absorption of Cd and Cu. In the L2+Se treatment (0.5 % L-GH + 3 mg.L−1 Se), Cd and Cu contents decreased by 31.06 % and 72.14 %, respectively. Simultaneously, the photosynthetic activity of the plant increased, stress resistance was enhanced, and both growth and biomass accumulation were promoted. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreased by 78.82 %, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (PSII potential activity Fv/F0 and maximum photochemical efficiency Fv/Fm) increased by 49.92 % and 11.97 %, respectively. Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that L-GH could potentially decrease the absorption of heavy metals by enhancing soil moisture (SWC) and pH levels, increasing aggregate stability (WAS) and organic carbon (SOC) content, enhancing plant stress resistance, and promoting growth. In this study, a novel material (L-GH) capable of retaining water and immobilizing heavy metals in soil was successfully developed. The concurrent application of L-GH with Se has been shown to effectively mitigate the combined stresses of drought and heavy metals on the growth of Chinese broccoli. These findings offer valuable insights for the remediation of soil contaminated by both drought and heavy metals.

Synthesis of mesoporous niobium phosphosilicate with high catalytic activity in the conversion of glucose to 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural in water solvent

AbstractMesoporous niobium‐based solid acid catalysts were successfully synthesized using the soft template method with sodium lignosulfonate (SLS) as the template. In most studies the template is calcined to form mesopores after hydrothermal synthesis; however, in this study SLS was retained to produce niobium‐carbon composite catalysts. The catalysts obtained were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption–desorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and static contact angle measurements. The catalytic activity of the solids was also investigated in the conversion of glucose to 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) using pure water as the solvent. Under optimal conditions, niobium‐carbon composite catalyst achieved a glucose conversion yield of 65.1% and an HMF yield of 42.1%. The enhanced catalytic activity was attributed to the timely extraction of the HMF by the carbonized SLS.