Synergistic Effect Research Articles

Statistical Optimization for Efficient Removal of Anionic Dyes using a Novel Polypyrrole-Saccharum munja Biocomposite: Insights into Single and Multi-Components Adsorption Dynamics

Herein, a novel polypyrrole-Saccharum munja biocomposite (PP-SM) was utilized for the adsorptive removal of three anionic dyes: Reactive Red 35 (RR), Reactive Orange 107 (RO), and Acid Blue 93 (AB) from their single and multi-component systems at neutral pH. The statistical optimization was performed with the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to study the interdependent effect of pH, concentration, and adsorbent dosage on the % removal of dyes. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was evaluated to confirm the adequacy of the model. The model F value for RR (142.20), RO (251.24), and AB (151.59) dye indicates the model to be significant and Coefficient of Variance less than 10% for all the dyes depicts the precise reproducibility of the model. The signal-to-noise ratio for RR (42.963), RO (57.585), and AB (44.883) indicate the adequate signal. Further, the kinetic study revealed the Pseudo-second-order model to the best fit for all dyes. The positive value of ΔH (KJmol−1) for RR (6.379), RO (13.204), and AB (7.118) dye indicated an endothermic adsorption process; and the positive value of ΔSº (Jmol−1K−1) for RR (37.480), RO (45.159), and AB (34.792) indicated the enhanced disorders at the interface of adsorbent and adsorbate. Langmuir model was the best fit for dyes in single component system with a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity (qmax) of RR (144.717 mgg−1) > AB (130.719 mgg−1) > RO (59.206 mgg−1). The synergistic or competitive effects of dyes in binary and ternary systems were assessed by using modified Langmuir model. Moreover, the dye removal mechanism involves electrostatic interactions, H-bonding, and π-π stacking. The regeneration of the spent adsorbent was carried out upto five adsorption-desorption cycles and showed a good removal efficiency for dyes. Thus, PP-SM can be prompted as an efficient and cost-effective biosorbent for the adsorptive removal of contaminants from wastewater.

Common institutional ownership and opportunistic insider selling: Evidence from China

We examine the relationship between common institutional ownership and opportunistic insider selling. Using an unbalanced panel of 32,858 firm-year observations of Chinese A-share listed firms from 2007 to 2021, we find that common institutional ownership inhibits opportunistic insider selling, supporting the synergistic governance view. Our evidence indicates that information economies of scale and industry power acquired from shareholding networks enable common owners to exert positive governance effects. Designating directors and officers, voting at shareholders' meetings, and promoting information disclosure are the three essential channels through which common owners perform effective monitoring. Furthermore, the synergistic governance effect is more pronounced in firms with headquarters located in regions with a stronger altruistic culture, better independent director governance, and wider media coverage. Heterogeneity analyses show that non-pressure-sensitive, stable, and transactional common institutional investors effectively inhibit opportunistic insider selling, whereas pressure-sensitive common owners exhibit attenuated effects. Additional tests indicate that common owners significantly reduce the profitability of opportunistic insider trading. Our findings highlight the social attributes and ethical aspects of how common institutional shareholders restricts insider opportunism in emerging markets.

Human serum albumin promotes interactions between HSA-IL-2 fusion protein and CD122 for enhancing immunotherapy

Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is a multifunctional cytokine that is crucial for T-lymphocytes proliferation and differentiation. However, IL-2 binds to IL-2Rα (CD25) subunit preferentially and tends to stimulate regulatory T cells (Tregs), which express high-affinity trimeric receptors (IL-2Rαβγ), resulting in immunosuppressive effects. Therefore, development of methods that enhance IL-2/CD122 interactions and activate immune responses without affecting therapeutic efficacy of IL-2 may be desirable. In this work, we constructed a recombinant IL-2 fusion protein (HSA-IL-2), comprising human serum albumin (HSA) and IL-2, there was a new interaction interface between HSA domain and CD122 in HSA-IL-2 fusion protein predicted by AlphaFold2, and followed by determining binding affinity between HSA-IL-2 and CD122 through ForteBio’s Bio-Layer Interferometry technology. Strikingly, HSA did promoted interactions between HSA-IL-2 fusion protein and CD122 compared with wild-type IL-2. In vivo experiments, HSA-IL-2 fusion protein had capacity to promote CD8+ T cells infiltration while reducing Treg cells infiltration for boosting immunotherapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, it facilitated synergistic therapeutic effect with α-PD-L1 to inhibit tumor growth. Overall, our research unveiled an enhanced binding affinity method underlying interactions between IL-2 and CD122 via fusing albumin, and propose a promising therapeutic strategy to facilitate IL-2 administration and broaden its clinical use.

GSTA1/CTNNB1 axis facilitates sorafenib resistance via suppressing ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

The emergence of sorafenib resistance has become a predominant impediment and formidable dilemma in the therapeutic approach for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although the approval of next-generation drugs as alternatives to sorafenib is a significant development, the concurrent use of inhibitors that target additional key molecular pathways remains an effective strategy to mitigate the acquisition of resistance. Here, we identified Glutathione S-Transferase Alpha 1 (GSTA1) as a critical modulator of sorafenib resistance (SR) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on our findings from experiments conducted on recurrent liver cancer tissues, xenograft mouse models, organoids, and sorafenib-resistant cells. Elevated GSTA1 levels are strongly associated with adverse clinical prognoses. The knockout of GSTA1 reinstates sorafenib sensitivity, whereas its overexpression attenuates drug efficacy. Mechanistically, GSTA1 enhances the accumulation of lipid peroxides and suppresses ferroptosis by exerting its peroxidase function to regulate the SR. Notably, the upregulation of GSTA1 expression is mediated by the transcription factor CTNNB1 (β-catenin), resulting in the formation of a cytoplasmic complex between GSTA1 and CTNNB1. This complex facilitates the nuclear translocation of CTNNB1, establishing a positive feedback loop. The combined use of GSTA1 and CTNNB1 inhibitors demonstrated synergistic anti-tumour effects through the induction of ferroptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings reveal a novel regulatory role of the GSTA1/CTNNB1 axis in ferroptosis, suggesting that targeting GSTA1 and CTNNB1 could be a promising strategy to circumvent sorafenib resistance in HCC.

Hybrid Nanoparticle for Co-delivering Paclitaxel and Dihydroartemisinin to Exhibit Synergic Anticancer Therapeutics.

Anticancer treatment is required to provide effective and safe patient medicines. This research aided in developing and applying nanoparticles (NPs) for cancer treatment. The poor solubility of paclitaxel (PTX) restricts its therapeutic efficacy because of allergic side effects caused by formulation excipients. To overcome this, PTX was coupled with artemisinin derivatives and loaded into an NP drug delivery system to enhance its effects while addressing its low solubility. This study prepared and characterized a hybrid PLGA-lecithin NP containing dihydroartemisinin (DHA) and PTX for synergic anticancer therapy. A lyophilization study improved the stability of the NP drug formulations. Dual PTX- and DHA-loaded PLGA- and lecithin-based NPs were prepared using a single-step solvent evaporation method. The NP suspensions were lyophilized, and the types and ratios of cryoprotectants were investigated. The physicochemical properties of NPs and lyophilized cakes (Lyo-NPs) were characterized. The stability of the Lyo-NPs was investigated at 2-8°C and room conditions. The anticancer effects of the drug combination, NP suspension, and lyophilized powder were analyzed using an in vitro cytotoxicity assay and an in vivo model. The optimal PTX-DHA loaded PLGA-lecithin-NP was formulated (200 nm, PDI: 0.248 ± 0.003, Zeta potential: -33.60 ± 3.39 mV). Mannitol was selected for lyophilization. Lyo-NPs improved the stability of the NPs (1 year), wherein the physicochemical properties of the NPs were maintained (RDI was close to 1.0). An in-vitro cytotoxicity assay of PTX combined with DHA showed a synergistic anticancer effect (CI <1.0). The suppressive effects of Lyo-NPs on tumor growth in vivo were dose-dependent. While the cocktail of free drugs showed high toxicity (7.5 mg PTX-15 mg DHA/kg) in-vivo, Lyo-NPs showed no statistical differences in hematological and biochemical parameters compared to the control. Dual-drug-loaded hybrid PLGA-lecithin NP is a potential system to minimize severe side effects while enhancing antitumor efficacy, in which lyophilization is a key process to increase stability.

Reactive oxygen species augmented polydopamine-chlorin e6 nanosystem for enhanced chemo/photothermal/photodynamic therapy: A synergistic trimodal combination approach in vitro & in vivo

Amalgamation of near-infrared laser phototherapies with chemotherapy in multi-modal synergistic therapy holds great promise for future precision cancer nanomedicine due to its minimal invasiveness, reduced adverse reactions, and high anticancer efficacy. Herein, CuO nanoparticles were functionalized with photosensitizer molecule, chlorin e6 (Ce6) and coated with polydopamine (PDA) to achieve a drug delivery system (CuO@Ce6-PDA) with photothermal/photodynamic therapy (PTT/PDT). Subsequently, chemical drug PTX was loaded for chemotherapy, and folic acid (FA) serving as cancer-targeting exterior material. Prepared FA@CuO@Ce6-PDA/PTX nanoparticles were nano-sized with favorable biocompatibility, colloidal stability, optimal surface charge, effective PTX loading, and controllable PTX release. In vitro studies on 4 T1 cells showed that FA@CuO@Ce6-PDA/PTX had noteworthy synergistic therapeutic antitumour effects featuring chemo/PTT/PDT with IC50 of 50 μg/mL lower than that FA@CuO@Ce6-PDA/PTX without NIR laser irradiation (225 μg/mL). Additionally, FA@CuO@Ce6-PDA/PTX produced intracellular high reactive oxygen species (ROS) in presence of 660 nm laser, altering mitochondrial membrane potential and promoting tumour cell death. In vivo results indicate nanoplatform could accumulate in tumour spots enabling thermal imaging capabilities and exhibit synergistic therapeutic effect if irradiated with NIR laser (808 and 660 nm), evident from in vitro antitumour assay. Therefore, in vitro finding postulates FA@CuO@Ce6-PDA/PTX could be an intriguing nanoplatform for Chemo/PTT/PDT-based combination therapy.

Synergistic antimicrobial potential of essential oil nanoemulsion and ultrasound and application in food industry: A review

Essential oils such as those from clove or oregano are considered as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) food ingredients and natural sanitizers to control the growth of microorganisms. However, their utilization in food industry is seriously limited since their poor water solubility and toxicological effects at high doses. Generally, appropriate preparing method to make them into nanoemulsion as sanitizers has great potential to overcome these drawbacks. As a non-thermal technology, ultrasound is able to inactivate microorganisms. And the synergistic hurdle technology of ultrasound and essential oil nanoemulsion has acquired importance within the food industry because it is reasonably effective and environmentally-friendly. This paper reviews the preparation method and physicochemical properties of plant essential oil nanoemulsion and focuses on the research progress on the synergistic antimicrobial effect of nanoemulsion and ultrasound and their application in food industry, hoping to provide further research with detailed information and potential utilization of the technique.

Construction and characterization of Laminaria polysaccharide functionalized selenium nanoparticles based on an activity-oriented approach

Laminaria polysaccharides (LP) have been shown to effectively stabilize selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), forming LP–SeNP complexes with enhanced bioactivity. However, the correlation between their bioactivity and physicochemical properties remains inadequately explored. This study used chemical reduction with LP as stabilizer to investigate how LP-to-selenium mass ratio (LPSMR), reaction time, and temperature influence particle size, selenium content, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of LP–SeNPs. The results showed that enhanced DPPH scavenging correlated with higher selenium content and smaller particle size, primarily modulated by LPSMR and temperature. Under optimal conditions (LPSMR of 1; temperature of 25°C), the resulting LP–SeNPs exhibited uniform morphology with a particle size of 81.41nm and selenium content of 653.91mg/g. This stability was achieved through non-covalent interactions between LP and SeNPs, providing superior light and acid resistance compared to unmodified SeNPs. Notably, LP–SeNPs showed synergistic antioxidant effects, with lower half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for scavenging DPPH, hydroxyl, and superoxide anion radicals than LP or SeNPs alone, and enhanced hypoglycemic activity. Cytotoxicity assays confirmed LP–SeNPs had reduced toxicity compared to Na2SeO3 and selenopeptide. These findings provide insights into the structure-activity relationships of LP–SeNPs and support their potential application as antioxidant and hypoglycemic agents.

Interactions between glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and estrogens regulates lipid metabolism

Obesity, characterized by excessive fat accumulation in white adipose tissue (WAT), is linked to numerous health issues, including insulin resistance (IR), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). The distribution of adipose tissue differs by sex, with men typically exhibiting android adiposity and pre-menopausal women displaying gynecoid adiposity. After menopause, women have an increased risk of developing android-type obesity, IR, and DM2. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are important in treating obesity and DM2 by regulating insulin secretion, impacting glucose and lipid metabolism. GLP-1Rs are found in various tissues including the pancreas, brain, and adipose tissue. Studies suggest GLP-1RAs and estrogen replacement therapies have similar effects on tissues like the liver, central nervous system, and WAT, probably by converging pathways involving protein kinasesTo investigate these interactions, female rats underwent ovariectomy (OVR) to promote a state of estrogen deficiency. After 20 days, the rats were euthanized and the tissues were incubated with 10 μM of liraglutide, a GLP-1RA. Results showed significant changes in metabolic parameters: OVR increased lipid catabolism in perirenal WAT and basal lipolysis in subcutaneous WAT, while liraglutide treatment enhanced stimulated lipolysis in subcutaneous WAT. Liver responses included increased stimulated lipolysis with liraglutide. Transcriptome analysis revealed distinct gene expression patterns in WAT of OVR rats and those treated with GLP-1RA, highlighting pathways related to lipid and glucose metabolism. Functional enrichment analysis showed estrogen’s pivotal role in these pathways, influencing genes involved in lipid metabolism regulation.Overall, the study underscores GLP-1RA acting directly on adipose tissues and highlights the complex interactions between GLP-1 and estrogen in regulating metabolism, suggesting potential synergistic therapeutic effects in treating metabolic disorders like obesity and DM2.

A Review on Nanocarrier-based Polyherbal Drug Delivery Systems for Wound Healing

Background: Nanotechnology-based polyherbal drug delivery systems are considered a new and rapidly emerging area in the pharmaceutical field. They improved the drug loading capacity or enhanced encapsulation efficiency of herbal drugs and thus improved permeation efficiency, accelerated wound healing, promoted tissue remodelling, and reduced scarring. Objective: A wound on the skin is an injury of the skin tissues that arises due to a cut or damage and also by an impact, blow, or other forces like a cut, surgery, chemical, heat, cold, friction, or illness like leg ulcers or carcinomas. These wounds result in the loss of skin's protective function by the removal of epithelium or connective tissues (i.e., muscle, bone, nerves). The four sequential but overlapping phases of the typical wound healing process are hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. By encouraging the growth and movement of fibroblasts and keratinocytes, as well as angiogenesis at the site of damage, it has been demonstrated that a polyherbal mixture composed of plant extraction accelerates the lesion recovery process. Polyherbal formulations contain phytoconstituents such as triterpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins, quinones, and carotenoids etc. All these phytoconstituents are used for anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antioxidant, and lesion recovery. At the same time, nanotechnology-based polyherbal formulation has the potential to overcome the limitations of traditional polyherbal formulation in wound healing. Wounds are better managed by polyherbal combination rather than an individual plant due to its synergism and fewer side effects. To include these polyherbal components and deliver them to the wound site in a more focused and sustained way, novel drug delivery systems are also being developed. Conclusion: This review discussed many nanotechnology-based polyherbal topical formulations for efficient and faster wound healing and recovery. Nanotechnology-based polyherbal formulations prove their success in promoting wound healing which is a unique approach to improving wound care and development of healthy skin.

Improving SO2 Tolerance and Low-Temperature Denitrification Performance in NH3-SCR Catalysis: A Comprehensive Study on Nb and Mn Modified CeO2 Catalysts

In pursuit of improving the performance of MnCe-based catalysts in NH3-assisted selective catalytic reduction (NH3-SCR) of NOx technology, particularly their SO2 resistance and low-temperature activity, a series of NbMnCeOx catalysts were synthesized. Results reveal that the Nb0.1Mn2Ce5Ox catalyst provides the most excellent SO2 resistance and SCR catalytic activity. Incorporating Nb into the MnCeOx structure enriches the formation of additional chemisorbed oxygen species and surface acidity, promoting NO2 production while effectively preventing the over-oxidation of NH3 to produce N2O. The incorporation of Nb and Mn into CeO2 improves the content of Brønsted- and Lewis-acid sites, facilitating the NH3 capture and NH4+ generation, thus enabling the NH3-SCR process via both Eley-Rideal (E-R, Mechanism S1) and Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H, Mechanism S2) mechanisms, with the latter dominating at low temperatures. Nb doping considerably reduces the sulfate formation and the initial SO2 adsorption on the NbMnCeOx surface, while decreasing the average oxidation state of Mn and shielding it from electronic attack from S4+ in SO2. This study highlights the synergistic effect of Nb and Mn in bolstering acidic sites in CeO2-based catalysts and proposes the reaction mechanisms for improving the low-temperature and sulfur-resistant NH3-SCR performance.

Control efficacy and joint toxicity of broflanilide mixed with commercial insecticides to an underground pest, the black cutworm in highland barley.

The highland barley, Hordeum vulgare L., is a staple food crop with superior nutritional functions in Xizang, China. It is often damaged by the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel), which is an underground pest and difficult to effectively manage. To introduce a novel insecticide with unique mode of action, broflanilide (BFL) and its binary mixtures with chlorantraniliprole (CAP), fluxametamide, β-cypermethrin or imidacloprid were screened out as seed treatment to control black cutworm in highland barley in the present study. In the laboratory bioassays, BFL had outstanding insecticidal activity to black cutworm with a median lethal dose (LD50) of 0.07 mg kg-1. The mixture of BFL × CAP at the concentration ratio of 7:40 exhibited the highest synergistic effect with a co-toxicity coefficient of 280.48. In the greenhouse pot experiments, BFL and BFL × CAP seed treatments at 8 g a.i. kg-1 seed could effectively control black cutworm, with a low percentage of injured seedlings <20% and high control efficacies of 93.33-100% during a period of 3-12 days after seed emergence. Moreover, BFL and BFL × CAP seed treatments could promote the seed germination and seedling growth of highland barley at the tested temperatures of 15, 20 and 25 °C. Our results indicated that BFL and BFL × CAP were effective and promising insecticides as seed treatment to control black cutworm in highland barley. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Efficient activation of peroxymonosulfate by N-doped waste herb senna obtusifolia biochar for degrading NPX: Synergistic effect of carbonyl and nitrogen sites

In this work, waste herb senna obtusifolia was utilized as the biochar precursor, and a N-doped biochar (NSOBC-6) was prepared to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for degrading Naproxen (NPX). NSOBC-6 exhibited superior catalytic performance in activating PMS, which could degrade NPX completely within 60 min. The NSOBC-6/PMS system also had good reusability and effectiveness under a wide range of pH values and high salinity conditions. The significant contribution of singlet oxygen (1O2) and superoxide radicals (O2•−) in NPX degradation was revealed. The results of XPS and DFT calculations indicated C=O, pyridinic-N and graphite-N participated as catalytic sites in the degradation of NPX. The differences in electron density and the ELUMO-EHOMO (ΔELUMO-HOMO) gap were induced by N doping, enhancing the PMS activation capacity of NSOBC-6. This work presented a strategy to convert waste herbal into functional biochar materials, which was of great significance for the development of green and efficient catalysts.

Synergistic effects of gadolinium oxide into the matrix of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) for supercapacitor applications

In this study, we synthesized ZIF-8, ZIF-67, Gd₀.₀₁/ZIF-8, & Gd₀.₀₁/ZIF-67 electrodes using the direct combination technique. Both electrodes are being used for energy storage devices. We extensively evaluated these nanocomposites using a variety of electrochemical methods, including retention analysis, galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). ZIF-8 exhibits a wide band gap of approximately 2.58 eV, suggesting its main absorption is of UV light. The peaks in the absorbance spectrum vary slightly in wavelength due to the presence of different metal centers. Peaks between 1400-1600 cm⁻1 indicate C–N stretching vibrations from the imidazolate linkers. Peaks between 1600-1700 cm⁻1 are associated with C=C stretching vibrations. ZIF-8 exhibits well-defined peaks in its XRD pattern, indicating a high level of crystallinity. Peaks can be observed at specific 2θ values, typically at 22.09°, 26.62°, 38.49°, and 47.27°, which correspond to the (110), (200), (211), and (220) planes. The calculated specific capacitances for ZIF-8 and ZIF-67 are 223.95 and 255.20 F/g. For Gd0.01/ZIF-8, & Gd0.01/ZIF-67 specific capacitances are 575.00 and 587.50 F/g. The ZIF-8, ZIF-67, Gd0.01/ZIF-8, & Gd0.01/ZIF-67 electrodes exhibited specific capacitances of (78.30, 192.59, 342.57, and 1164) F/g at current densities of 1 A/g from the GCD calculation. The retention plot of ZIF-8, ZIF-67, Gd0.01/ZIF-8, & Gd0.01/ZIF-67 electrode shows efficiency of 71%, 71%, 105% and 75%, respectively, indicating their suitability for supercapacitor applications.

Dynamic hydrogen bubble template electrodeposition of a self-supported Co-P electrocatalyst for efficient alkaline oxygen evolution reaction

The development of efficient, inexpensive, and earth-abundant electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) represents a significant challenge for the large-scale production of hydrogen. The primary obstacle to the advancement of OER is the necessity for a considerably higher overpotential than the theoretical oxygen evolution potential, due to the sluggish kinetics of the electron transfer reaction, which involves a large amount of thermodynamic energy. In this article, amorphous and cauliflower-like Co-P electrocatalysts were in situ grown on nickel foam by dynamic hydrogen bubble template (DHBT) electrodeposition method. The Co-P electrocatalyst with Co/P ratio optimal presented excellent electrocatalytic activities with a low overpotential of 239 mV for OER at 10 mA·cm−2 and long-term stability in 1.0 M KOH. The outstanding OER performance of the catalyst is mainly attributed the synergistic effect of amorphous and cauliflower-like structure, superhydrophilicity surface, and the electronic regulation by adjusting the atomic ratio of Co to P. This research will bring fresh ideas and strategies for developing novel simple, affordable, and efficient electrocatalysts to boost OER kinetics.

Online Public Opinion Attention, Digital Transformation, and Green Investment: A Deep Learning Model Based on Artificial Intelligence

The digital economy is rising at an unprecedented pace, becoming a key driver of the comprehensive transformation and upgrading of the global economy and society. Existing research widely demonstrates the multifaceted positive impacts of green investment on corporate development. However, amid the wave of digital transformation, in-depth studies on how digital transformation specifically influences corporate green investment decisions—particularly from the emerging perspective of Online Public Opinion attention—remain insufficient. To address this gap, this study focuses on data from Chinese A-share listed companies between 2007 and 2022. It innovatively integrates the perspective of Online Public Opinion attention, utilizing the powerful capabilities of deep learning models in artificial intelligence to construct a public opinion attention index. This index aims to accurately and comprehensively capture the dynamic changes in investor sentiment and attention, thereby exploring the relationship between public opinion attention, corporate digital transformation, and green investment behavior. Empirical analysis shows that as corporate digital transformation progresses, investments in environmentally sustainable projects increase. Moreover, attention from online public opinion attention positively influences this relationship. The combination of digital transformation and online public opinion attention exhibits a synergistic effect in promoting environmentally friendly investments. Mechanism analysis reveals that public opinion attention influences corporate green investment through pathways involving digital transformation and public attention to environmental protection. Heterogeneity analysis results indicate that state-owned enterprises show a positive effect on their green investments during the digital transformation process. For companies with strong technological capabilities, digital transformation also significantly drives green investment. Additionally, the impact of digital transformation in promoting environmentally friendly investments is particularly pronounced in the economically developed eastern regions of China, while it is relatively weaker in the less-developed central and western regions. Furthermore, robustness and endogeneity tests confirm the reliability of these conclusions. This study not only enriches the theoretical research in the fields of digital transformation and green investment but also provides new tools for companies to consider Online Public Opinion Attention during their digital transformation process.

Synergistic CO2 capture using PANI-polymerized UiO-66 embedded in PEBAX mixed matrix membranes

In this study, mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) were fabricated using a composite of UiO-66 and polyaniline (PANI) integrated into a polyether-block-amide (PEBAX) matrix. The successful synthesis of the UiO-66 and PANI@UiO-66 composites and their incorporation into the PEBAX matrix were validated through X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Quantitative permeation tests revealed that the CO2 permeability in UiO-66 based MMMs increased by 90 % at 30 % filler loading (from 82 to 156 Barrer), and by 45 % (from 82 to 119 Barrer) in PANI@UiO-66 based MMMs, alongside substantial improvements in selectivity. For UiO-66 membranes we observed a selectivity drop for both gas pairs (CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2) that led to our motivation to modify the MOF. The CO2/CH4 selectivity of the PANI@UiO-66 based MMMs enhanced from 22 to 29 (34%) and the CO2/N2 selectivity from 48 to 57 (18%). Mixed-gas permeation tests further confirmed the efficacy of the membranes in real-world separation scenarios. The diffusivity and solubility results provide insights into the gas transport mechanisms, revealing the synergistic effects of filler incorporation on membrane performance. The integration of UiO-66 and PANI with PEBAX offers a promising pathway for developing efficient and effective gas separation technologies, aligning with the industrial requirements for environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.

Silver Doped Polypyrrole Nanocomposite-based Gas sensor for Enhanced Ammonia Gas Sensing Performance at Room Temperature

Nanocomposite, which comprise organic and inorganic materials have gained increasing interest in the application for enhanced sensing response to both reducing and oxidation gases. In this study, a nanocomposite is chemical polymerization synthesized by reinforcing Ag nanoparticles with different concentration doped into the matrix of Polypyrrole (PPy). This nanocomposite is used as a sensing platform for ammonia detection with different concentration (ppm). The homogeneous distribution of Ag nanoparticles onto the PPy matrix provides a smooth and dense surface area, further accelerating the transmission of electrons. The synergistic effect of PPy@Ag matrix is responsible for the outstanding conductivity, compatibility and catalytic power of the proposed gas sensor. The structure, morphology, and surface composition of as-synthesized samples were respectively, examined via X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results indicated that sensor based on the PPy@Ag5 (2 gm) nanocomposite showed the highest response toward ammonia as compare to pure PPy at room temperature with a response value is 58 % to 100 ppm. Overall, the obtained findings demonstrated that the PPy@Ag nanocomposite are promising materials for gas sensing applications in environmental monitoring.

Mechanistic insight into the simultaneous removal of Cr(VI) and phosphate by a novel versatile bimetallic material

Industrial wastewater containing hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) and phosphate poses a great threat to human health and the aquatic ecological environment. In this study, a novel La(OH)3- and CaO2-fabricated CNT (La-Ca-CNT) material was developed for the simultaneous and highly effective removal of aqueous Cr(VI) and phosphate. Characterization results showed that synergistic effects existed between the CNT support and La and Ca species. La-Ca-CNT showed high phosphate and Cr(VI) removal rates in acidic conditions with high stability. Kinetic study suggested that the fast adsorption of phosphate on La-Ca-CNT was controlled by intraparticle diffusion. The removal of Cr(VI) and phosphate interacted with each other, and the removal of Cr(VI) went through a slow-fast-slow reaction, reaching a Cr(VI) removal rate of over 97% within 180min. La-Ca-CNT had a high phosphate adsorption capacity (174.3mg/g), and over 70% of the adsorbed phosphate could be recovered. The presence of co-existing anions showed negative effects on phosphate adsorption but negligible effects on Cr(VI) reduction, while organic carbon in natural water showed no effect on phosphate and Cr(VI) removal. A mechanistic study revealed that phosphate was removed by physical-chemical adsorption (outer-sphere complexation and ligand exchange) over La-Ca-CNT, while Cr(VI) was reduced by H2O2 generated from CaO2 or directly by surface CaO2.

Incorporation of polyvinyl alcohol in bacterial cellulose/polypyrrole flexible conductive films to enhance the mechanical and conductive performance

The integration of polypyrrole (PPy) into bacterial cellulose (BC) has provided significant conductivity and cost benefits. However, this combination has led to a reduction in mechanical properties, particularly in terms of elongation at break and tensile strength. This study investigated the enhancement of BC/PPy composite films by incorporating polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The resulting BC/PPy/PVA films demonstrated improvements in flexibility, tensile strength and thermal stability. Specifically, with 7 % PVA, the flexible films exhibited remarkable enhancements: tensile strength increased from 11.01 MPa (for BC/PPy) to 25.27 MPa and elongation at break rose from 5.81 % to 11.54 %. Additionally, the electrical conductivity of the BC/PPy/PVA films with a resistance of 38.5 Ω, surpassed that of the BC/PPy films. Furthermore, the equilibrium swelling water absorption rates of BC/PPy and BC/PPy/PVA films were 30.6 % and 81.4 %, respectively, with corresponding resistances of 530 Ω and 540 Ω. The variation in resistance between the dry and swollen states of the BC/PPy/PVA flexible conductive film resulted in differences in the brightness of the small light bulb. These findings highlighted the synergistic effects of PVA within the BC/PPy matrix, presenting a promising avenue for developing high-performance conductive materials suitable for flexible electronics and wearable devices.