Titania-zeolite composite for tetracycline photocatalytic degradation under visible light: A comparison between doping and ion exchange.

In this study, TiO supported over embryonic Beta zeolite (BEA) was prepared for the photocatalytic degradation of Tetracycline (TC) antibiotic under visible light. The immobilization of sol-gel TiO over the zeolite increased its surface area from 33 (m/g) to 226 (m/g) and enhanced its adsorption efficiency from 8 % to 18 %. In order to expand the photocatalytic activity of TiO towards the visible light region (i.

Efficient green Cr(VI) adsorbent from sorghum waste: Eco-designed functionalized mesoporous silica FDU-12.

This paper presents an eco-design approach to the synthesis of a highly efficient Cr(VI) adsorbent, utilizing a positively charged surface mesoporous FDU-12 material (designated as MI-Cl-FDU-12) for the first time. The MI-Cl-FDU-12 anion-exchange adsorbent was synthesized via a facile one-pot synthesis approach using sodium silicate extracted from sorghum waste as a green silica source, 1-methyl-3-(triethoxysilylpropyl) imidazolium chloride as a functionalization agent, triblock copolymer F127 as a templating or pore-directing agent, trimethyl benzene as a swelling agent, KCl as an additive, and water as a solvent. The synthesis method offers a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to the production of a so-called "green" adsorbent with a bimodal micro-/mesoporous structure and a high surface area comparable with the previous reports regarding FDU-12 synthesis.

Modified TiO₂ nanotubes-zeolite composite photocatalyst: Characteristics, microstructure and applicability for degrading triclocarban.

The study explored the characteristics and effectiveness of modified TiO nanotubes with zeolite as a composite photocatalyst (MTNZC) for the degradation of triclocarban (TCC) from the aqueous solution. MTNZC samples have been produced via electrochemical anodisation (ECA) followed by electrophoretic deposition (EPD). Three independent factors selected include MTNZC size (0.

Insights into the ameliorating ability of mesoporous silica in modulating drug release in ternary amorphous solid dispersion prepared by hot melt extrusion.

In this work, the application of various mesoporous silica grades in the preparation of stabilized ternary amorphous solid dispersions of Felodipine using hot melt extrusion was explored. We have demonstrated the effectiveness of mesoporous silica in these dispersions without the need for any organic solvents i.e.

Resource recovery from landfill leachate: An experimental investigation and perspectives.

This work investigates the performances of coconut shell waste-based activated carbon (CSWAC) adsorption in batch studies for removal of ammoniacal nitrogen (NH-N) and refractory pollutants (as indicated by decreasing COD concentration) from landfill leachate. To valorize unused resources, coconut shell, recovered and recycled from agricultural waste, was converted into activated carbon, which can be used for leachate treatment. The ozonation of the CSWAC was conducted to enhance its removal performance for target pollutants.

In-line Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics for monitoring cocrystallisation using hot melt extrusion.

The application of in-line Raman spectroscopy to monitor the formation of a 1:1 cocrystal of ibuprofen (IBU) as a BCS class II drug and nicotinamide as coformer using hot-melt extrusion (HME) was investigated. The process was monitored over different experimental conditions inserting the Raman probe before the extruder die. Partial least square (PLS) was applied as a robust chemometric technique to build predictive models at different levels of chemometric by dividing the experimental data set into calibration and validation subsets.

Image processing for detecting complete two dimensional properties' distribution of granules produced in twin screw granulation.

In this study, an image processing technique is implemented to measure complete two-dimensional particle size and liquid content distribution (2D-distribution) of the granules produced in twin screw granulation (TSG). The effects of liquid binder viscosity and liquid to solid ratio (L/S) on the 2D-distribution, and the residence time distribution were studied. The effect of screw configuration on granule formation at different conditions was also investigated, were the mean residence time distribution (MRTD) in conveying elements decreases with the increase of L/S ratio and viscosity.

Resource recovery toward sustainability through nutrient removal from landfill leachate.

This study investigated the feasibility of integrated ammonium stripping and/or coconut shell waste-based activated carbon (CSWAC) adsorption in treating leachate samples. To valorize unused biomass for water treatment application, the adsorbent originated from coconut shell waste. To enhance its performance for target pollutants, the adsorbent was pretreated with ozone and NaOH.

A societal transition of MSW management in Xiamen (China) toward a circular economy through integrated waste recycling and technological digitization.

Recently Xiamen (China) has encountered various challenges of municipal solid waste management (MSWM) such as lack of a complete garbage sorting and recycling system, the absence of waste segregation between organic and dry waste at source, and a shortage of complete and clear information about the MSW generated. This article critically analyzes the existing bottlenecks in its waste management system and discusses the way forward for the city to enhance its MSWM by drawing lessons from Hong Kong's effectiveness in dealing with the same problems over the past decades. Solutions to the MSWM problem are not only limited to technological options, but also integrate environmental, legal, and institutional perspectives.

Synthesis of multi-organo-functionalized fibrous silica KCC-1 for highly efficient adsorption of acid fuchsine and acid orange II from aqueous solution.

Multi-functionalized fibrous silica KCC-1 (MF-KCC-1) bearing amine, tetrasulfide, and thiol groups was synthesized via a post-functionalization method and fully characterized by several methods such as FTIR, FESEM, EDX-Mapping, TEM, and N adsorption-desorption techniques. Due to abundant surface functional groups, accessible active adsorption sites, high surface area (572 m g), large pore volume (0.98 cm g), and unique fibrous structure, mesoporous MF-KCC-1 was used as a potential adsorbent for the uptake of acid fuchsine (AF) and acid orange II (AO) from water.

Efficient oxidation/mineralization of pharmaceutical pollutants using a novel Iron (III) oxyhydroxide nanostructure prepared via plasma technology: Experimental, modeling and DFT studies.

High-performance novel iron oxyhydroxide (limonite) nanostructure, with improved surface reactive sites, was prepared via one-pot, eco-friendly, free precursor and cold glow discharge N-plasma technique. Natural and plasma treated (PTNL/N) limonite samples were characterized by FESEM, XPS, XRD, FTIR, AAS, EDX, BET/BJH and pH to confirm the successful synthesis. Central composite design (CCD) and artificial neural network (ANN, topology of 4:8:1) methods were utilized to study the oxidation/mineralization of phenazopyridine (PhP) as a hazardous contaminant by heterogeneous catalytic ozonation process (HCOP).

A novel and facile green synthesis method to prepare LDH/MOF nanocomposite for removal of Cd(II) and Pb(II).

To date, many nanoadsorbents have been developed and used to eliminate heavy metal contamination, however, one of the challenges ahead is the preparation of adsorbents from processes in which toxic organic solvents are used in the least possible amount. Herein, we have developed a new carboxylic acid-functionalized layered double hydroxide/metal-organic framework nanocomposite (LDH/MOF NC) using a simple, effective, and green in situ method. UiO-66-(Zr)-(COOH) MOF nanocrystals were grown uniformly over the whole surface of COOH-functionalized NiCo-LDH ultrathin nanosheets in a green water system under a normal solvothermal condition at 100 °C.

Complete two dimensional population balance modelling of wet granulation in twin screw.

In this study, a complete two dimensional (internal coordinates) population balance model (2D-PBM) is developed, calibrated and validated as a predictive tool for predicting the particle size and the liquid content distribution of the granules produced from twin screw granulation (TSG). The model is calibrated and validated using experimental distributions for the two internal coordinates that are captured using image processing. Granulation runs are conducted at multiple liquid to solid (L/S) ratios and liquid binder viscosities, and then used to calibrate and validate the 2D-PBM.

Reforming MSWM in Sukunan (Yogjakarta, Indonesia): A case-study of applying a zero-waste approach based on circular economy paradigm.

Over the past years, Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country, has confronted environmental problems due to uncontrolled generation of municipal solid waste (MSW). While the integrated solid waste management (ISWM) represents a critical strategy for Indonesia to control its production, it is also recognized that economic approaches also need to be promoted to address the waste problem concertedly. In this case study, empirical approaches are developed to understand how a volume-based waste fee could be incorporated into MSW collection services and how to apply a zero-waste approach in Indonesia by adapting resource recovery initiatives, adapted from Germany's mature experiences in integrating the CE paradigm into the latter's MSWM practices.

Metal-Organic Material Polymer Coatings for Enhanced Gas Sorption Performance and Hydrolytic Stability under Humid Conditions.

Physisorbent metal-organic materials (MOMs) have shown benchmark performance for highly selective CO capture from bulk and trace gas mixtures. However, gas stream moisture can be detrimental to both adsorbent performance and hydrolytic stability. One of the most effective methods to solve this issue is to transform the adsorbent surface from hydrophilic to hydrophobic.

Mass-based finite volume scheme for aggregation, growth and nucleation population balance equation.

In this paper, a new mass-based numerical method is developed using the notion of Forestier-Coste & Mancini (Forestier-Coste & Mancini 2012, , B840-B860. (doi:10.1137/110847998)) for solving a one-dimensional aggregation population balance equation.

Compartmental approach for modelling twin-screw granulation using population balances.

In this study, a compartmental population balance model (CPBM) is developed as a predictive tool of particle size distribution (PSD) for wet granulation in co-rotating twin-screw granulator (TSG). This model is derived in terms of liquid to solid ratio (L/S) and screw speed representing the main process parameters of the TSG. The mathematical model accounts for aggregation and breakage of the particles occurring in five compartments of the TSG with inhomogeneous screw configurations (3 conveying zones and 2 kneading zones).

Amorphous solid dispersion of ibuprofen: A comparative study on the effect of solution based techniques.

Amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) is one of the most promising strategies for improving the solubility of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with low aqueous solubility. Solvent-based techniques such as electrospinning (ES), spray-drying (SD) and rotary evaporation (RE), have all previously been shown to be effective techniques for formulating ASDs. To date however, the effect of these processing techniques on the physicochemical properties and ASD homogeneity or "quality of ASD" produced remains largely unexplored.

Particle engineering of excipients: A mechanistic investigation into the compaction properties of lignin and [co]-spray dried lignin.

In this work, lignin was spray dried with sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) in order to improve the compaction properties of lignin. Bulk level and physicochemical properties of spray dried formulations were measured and compared to as-received lignin and lactose which was used as a reference excipient. Single component tablets from individual powders were prepared and the mechanical properties of these powders were investigated by analysing force-displacement curves recorded during tableting, using a series of compaction equations.

Spray drying of pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals: Critical parameters and experimental process optimization approaches.

Spray drying is increasingly becoming recognized as an efficient drying and formulation technique for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical processing. It offers significant economic and processing advantages compared to lyophilisation/freeze-drying techniques even though the optimisation of process parameters is often a costly and time-consuming procedure. Spray Drying has primarily been used in formulating small molecule drugs with low solubility however it is increasingly being applied to the processing of large biomolecules and biopharmaceuticals.

Investigation of the Dependence of the Flory-Huggins Interaction Parameter on Temperature and Composition in a Drug-Polymer System.

The Flory-Huggins (F-H) solubility equation has been widely used to describe the solubility of a small-molecule drug in a polymeric carrier and thus determine the design space available for formulating a stable amorphous solid dispersion. The F-H interaction parameter (χ) describes the thermodynamic properties of drug-polymer solutions and accounts for any enthalpic and entropic changes in solubility. Many studies have found that for a limited compositional range, χ varies proportionally to the inverse of the melting temperature of the drug.

Quantum chemical calculations and molecular modeling for methylene blue removal from water by a lignin-chitosan blend.

A comprehensive analysis of the molecular dynamics and quantum chemical calculation methods for methylene blue removal by adsorption were carried out. The experimentally measured adsorption data of methylene blue from water effluent on a novel lignin and chitosan blend were used to validate the modeling results. The method and required steps for application of quantum chemical calculations and molecular modeling techniques as the state of the art approach for predictive modeling and investigation of adsorption were provided, and the model findings were validated by comparing with the experimental data; close agreement between the results was observed.

Removal of acetaminophen from synthetic wastewater in a fixed-bed column adsorption using low-cost coconut shell waste pretreated with NaOH, HNO, ozone, and/or chitosan.

Acetaminophen (Ace) is a trace pollutant widely found in sewage treatment plant (STP) wastewater. We test the feasibility of coconut shell waste, a low cost adsorbent from coconut industry, for removing Ace from synthetic solution in a fixed-bed column adsorption. To enhance its performance, the surface of granular activated carbon (GAC) was pre-treated with NaOH, HNO, ozone, and/or chitosan respectively.

Maximising success in multidrug formulation development: A review.

Patient compliance will soon become one of the most critical challenges in modern healthcare. Due in part to our aging population, the rise in the number of chronic conditions will cause increasing stress on global healthcare systems, magnifying current problems. The solutions employed to improve compliance have failed to deliver and the medical community have turned to Multidrug Formulations (MDFs), to provide an answer.

MitoQ Loaded Chitosan-Hyaluronan Composite Membranes for Wound Healing.

Two self-associating biopolymers, namely chitosan (Ch) and a high-molar-mass hyaluronan (HA), were used to prepare membranes with the aim to protect and to enhance the healing of injured skin. A mitochondrially-targeted antioxidant-MitoQ-was incorporated into the mixture of biopolymers prior to their self-association. These three-component membranes were evaluated in detail utilising surface roughness measurements, contact angle measurements, hemocompatibility, and thrombogenicity analyses.