Exploring the role of carbon quantum dots as countermeasure for SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The world witnessed disturbingly rapid unfolding of COVID-19 pandemic with emergence of SARS-CoV-2 virus resulting in severe morbidity and mortality and it still persists through incessant transmission across the globe even after years. Since the last decade, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have gained much attention due to their favourable aqueous solubility, nano size (<10 nm), inherent fluorescence, biocompatibility, and environment friendliness. In the wider search for effective strategies for treatment, prevention, and diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 virus, nanotechnology-based formulation using CQDs have emerged as an interesting option.

Simultaneous Removal of As(iii) and As(v) from Aqueous Solution by Using Iron-Functionalized Polythiophene: A Novel Approach toward Water Treatment.

Arsenic contamination in groundwater poses a significant threat to human health, affecting millions worldwide. This study presents a novel approach for simultaneous remediation of both As(III) and As(V) by using iron-functionalized polythiophene (PTh@Fe) composites. The PTh@Fe composite was synthesized by a reduction process involving FeCl/FeCl byproducts of polymerization, resulting in a highly efficient adsorbent for both As(III) and As(V) species.

Hierarchical porous carbon derived from petroleum coke one-step chemical activation for the fabrication of a supercapacitor and real time clock application.

The escalating demand for energy requires highly efficient energy storage devices and advanced materials. Low-cost carbon resources and their derivatives have always been a topical research area. Petroleum coke is an abundant and affordable resource that contributes to the scalability and cost effectiveness of carbon materials.

Preliminary report on therapeutic potential of coal-derived carbon quantum dots against SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Due to the pandemic of COVID-19 and subsequent emerging of new mutant strains, there has been a worldwide hunt for therapeutic and protective agents for its inhibition. In this short communication, for the first time, we report the coal-derived carbon quantum dot (CQD) for the possible therapeutic application against SARS-CoV-2. The synthesized C1-CQD is observed to be safe towards the normal cell line at highest dose, while effectively inhibiting growth of SARS-CoV2 (>95%) with IC value of 5.

Chemical and toxicological studies on black crust formed over historical monuments as a probable health hazard.

Studies to date have mostly investigated environmental factors responsible for deterioration of historical monuments. Black crusts formed on historical monuments are considered as factor for deterioration of structures or as an indicator of environmental status of the surrounding area. Black crust formed on historical monuments has never been investigated as a health hazard.

Solid-State Phosphors from Coal-Derived Carbon Quantum Dots.

With unique optical and chemical properties, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) find tremendous applications in chemistry, biology, and materials science to medicine. To expand the applicability of coal-derived CQDs from the liquid to solid state, we herein report the sustainable synthesis of solid phosphors from coal-derived CQDs using poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and silica (SiO) as an organic and inorganic matrix. Two coal-derived CQDs were obtained using an eco-friendly ultrasonic-assisted wet oxidation method.

Biocompatible Nanodiamonds Derived from Coal Washery Rejects: Antioxidant, Antiviral, and Phytotoxic Applications.

Coal washery rejects (CWRs) are a major byproduct produced in coal washery industries. We have chemically derived biocompatible nanodiamonds (NDs) from CWRs toward a wide range of biological applications. The average particle sizes of the derived blue-emitting NDs are found to be in the range of 2-3.

Combustion conditions and feed coals regulating the Fe- and Ti-containing nanoparticles in various coal fly ash.

Quantitative characteristics and sizes of nanoparticles (NPs) in coal fly ash (CFA) produced in coal-fired power plants as a function of coal type and plant design will help reveal the NP emission likelihood and their environmental implications. However, little is known about how combustion conditions and types of coal regulate the NP abundance in CFAs. In this study, based on single particle (SP)-ICP-MS technology, particle number concentrations (PNCs) and sizes of Fe- and Ti-containing NPs in CFAs were determined for samples collected from power plants of different designs and burning different types of coal.

Variabilities of δC and carbonaceous components in ambient PM in Northeast India: Insights into sources and atmospheric processes.

A year-long sampling campaign of ambient PM (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 mm) at a regional station in the North-Eastern Region (NER) of India was performed to understand the sources and formation of carbonaceous aerosols. Mass concentration, carbon fractions (organic and elemental carbon), and stable carbon isotope ratio (δC) of PM were measured and studied along with cluster analysis and Potential Source Contribution Function (PSCF) modelling.

An overview on atmospheric carbonaceous particulate matter into carbon nanomaterials: A new approach for air pollution mitigation.

Air pollutants consisting of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) poses a major threat to the environment and human health. However, due to their carbonaceous nature, these atmospheric PM can also be used as a precursor for fabrication of high-valued carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) leading to waste to wealth as well as mitigation of air pollution. Over the few years, various results have been reported on different types of physical and chemical methods for the synthesis of CNMs from atmospheric particulate matter with the help of top down and bottom up methods; however, there is a lack of review on these innovative processes and outcome in order to assess their feasibility and suitability for further investigation.

Synthesis, Characterization, Properties, and Novel Applications of Fluorescent Nanodiamonds.

In the last few years, fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs)  have been developed significantly as a new member in the nanocarbon family. The surface of FNDs is embedded with some crystallographic defects containing color centres which surmount the properties of other fluorochromes including up conversion and down conversion nanoparticles, quantum dots, nano tubes, fullerenes, organic dyes, silica etc. Some of the intriguing properties like inevitable photostability, inherent bio-compatibility, outstanding optical and robust mechanical properties, excellent magnetic field, and electric field sensing potentiality make FNDs appealing to some benevolent applications in numerous fields like bio-imaging, delivering drugs, fighting cancer, spin electronics, imaging of magnetic structure at nanoscale and as promising nanometric temperature sensor.

Geochemistry and mineralogy of coal mine overburden (waste): A study towards their environmental implications.

Open-cast mining of coal generates waste material, including rock and soil with different minerals, and traditionally dumped as waste over the valuable lands worldwide. Overburden (OB) is devoid of actual soil characteristics, low micro and macronutrient content, and a sufficient amount of rare earth elements, silicate, sulphate, and clay minerals. This study aimed to determine the geochemistry and mineralogy of OB samples collected from Makum coalfield, Margherita of Northeast (NE) India.

Atmospheric particulate matter and potentially hazardous compounds around residential/road side soil in an urban area.

Exposure to ambient coarse and fine particulate matter (PM and PM) causes premature death worldwide due to the nature of their particle size. It contains potentially hazardous elements (PHEs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This study aims to quantify the particulate matter (PM) loads on the surface of soil in twenty-five different locations including residential and roadside areas of an urban area in Northeast India.

Blue-emitting fluorescent carbon quantum dots from waste biomass sources and their application in fluoride ion detection in water.

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are among the most feasible allotropes of carbon-based nanomaterials with unique characteristics of photoluminescence, bio-compatibility, and high stability. Herein, a green and eco-friendly approach has been propagated for the fabrication of CQDs from different biomass waste materials including sugarcane bagasse (SCB), garlic peels (GP), and taro peels (TP) by using ultrasonic-assisted wet-chemical-oxidation method. This top-down approach involves oxidation of the carbonized biomass wastes by HO.

Acid mine drainage in an Indian high-sulfur coal mining area: Cytotoxicity assay and remediation study.

Opencast mining causes significant environmental concern due to acid mine drainage (AMD) caused by the oxidation of pyrites and other sulfur-bearing minerals. The present study intends to determine the seasonal variability of AMD in the affected area of the Ledo opencast mining, the cytotoxicity of the AMD, and the AMD remediation process. The physicochemical properties of the collected samples were analyzed by using laboratory-based methods and sophisticated instrumental tools.

Biochar aided aromatic grass [Cymbopogon martini (Roxb.) Wats.] vegetation: A sustainable method for stabilization of highly acidic mine waste.

Dumping of acidic mine waste poses severe threats to the ecosystem due to high acidity, nutrient deficiency and mobility of toxic metals. The present study has been undertaken on phytoremediation by amending the acidic soil/mine waste with biochar (BC) and plantation of palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini (Roxb.) Wats.

An environmental evaluation of carbonaceous aerosols in PM10 at micro- and nano-scale levels reveals the formation of carbon nanodots.

Carbonaceous aerosols play significant roles in air quality and the climate; their oxidation at the nano-scale level may possibly increase the reactivity and toxicity of atmospheric particulates. In the present study, a laboratory experiment on the atmospheric carbonaceous aerosol was done by using HO as an oxidizing agent. An extensive study made with advanced analytical tools revealed the formation of photoluminescent carbon nanoparticles (carbon nanodots) in the carbonaceous aerosol.

Atmospheric particulate matters in an Indian urban area: Health implications from potentially hazardous elements, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity studies.

The nature of the atmospheric particulate matters (PMs) varies depending on their sizes and their origin from different activities in the background environment. These PMs are associated with potentially hazardous elements (PHEs) such as organic compounds (e.g.

Environmental and toxicological assessment of nanodiamond-like materials derived from carbonaceous aerosols.

Carbonaceous aerosols (CAs) are ubiquitous and among the most significant environmental materials found in ambient air, mainly derived from anthropogenic sources (biomass burning, industrial activity, vehicle emissions, etc.). Elemental carbon (black carbon) and organic carbons are the major constituents of CAs.

Blue-fluorescent and biocompatible carbon dots derived from abundant low-quality coals.

Coal is one of the most abundant natural carbonaceous materials. This paper reports a novel oxidative chemical method for the synthesis of high-value carbon dots (CDs) from cheap and abundant low-quality high‑sulfur coals for use in high-end applications. These CDs were synthesized by using wet-chemical ultrasonic stimulation-induced process which is environmentally facile and less drastic compared to other chemical methods of production of CDs.

Air quality and PM-associated poly-aromatic hydrocarbons around the railway traffic area: statistical and air mass trajectory approaches.

Diesel engine railway traffic causes atmosphere pollution due to the exhaust emission which may be harmful to the passengers as well as workers. In this study, the air quality and PM concentrations were evaluated around a railway station in Northeast India where trains are operated with diesel engines. The gaseous pollutant (e.

Chemical Forms of Mercury in Pyrite: Implications for Predicting Mercury Releases in Acid Mine Drainage Settings.

Pyrite (cubic FeS) is the most abundant metal sulfide in nature and also the main host mineral of toxic mercury (Hg). Release of mercury in acid mine drainage resulting from the oxidative dissolution of pyrite in coal and ore and rock resulting from mining, processing, waste management, reclamation, and large construction activities is an ongoing environmental challenge. The fate of mercury depends on its chemical forms at the point source, which in turn depends on how it occurs in pyrite.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) around tea processing industries using high-sulfur coals.

In the present investigation, the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with PM, PM and dust particles emitted from two tea processing industrial units were studied that uses high-sulfur coal as their energy source. A total of 16 PAHs (viz. naphthalene (Nap), acenaphthene (Ace), acenaphthylene (Acen), phenanthrene (Phe), fluorene (Flu), anthracene (Ant), fluoranthene (Fluo), pyrene (Pyr), benz[a]anthracene (BaA), chrysene (Chry), benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF), benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF), benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), dibenz[a,h]anthracene (DBahA), indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (IP) and benzo[ghi]perylene (BghiP) were measured.

Nanominerals, fullerene aggregates, and hazardous elements in coal and coal combustion-generated aerosols: An environmental and toxicological assessment.

Studies on coal-derived nanoparticles as well as nano-minerals are important in the context of the human health and the environment. The coal combustion-generated aerosols also affect human health and environmental quality aspects in any coal-fired station. In this study, the feed coals and their combustion-generated aerosols from coal-fired boilers of two tea industry facilities were investigated for the presence of nanoparticles/nano minerals, fullerene aggregates, and potentially hazardous elements (PHEs).

Effective removal of sulfur components from Brazilian power-coals by ultrasonication (40kHz) in presence of H2O2.

The present investigation reports a preliminary attempt of using ultrasonic energy (40kHz) to clean some low rank high sulfur Brazilian power-coal samples in presence of H2O2 solution. All types of sulfur components (i.e.