Bifunctional hierarchical WO nanorods@Br-doped g-CN Z-scheme heterojunctions for efficient tetracycline photodegradation: Optimization of key parameters, toxicological assessment, and electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction.

In this study, graphitic carbon nitride (CN) and tungsten trioxide (WO) were successfully incorporated into bromine (Br)-doped graphitic carbon nitride (BCN) using an in-situ hydrothermal method. The photocatalytic efficiency of the resulting WO/Br-doped CN (WBCN) composites for the removal of tetracycline (TC) antibiotics under sunlight irradiation was evaluated. The mass ratio of WO to Br-doped CN (BCN) significantly influenced TC adsorption and photocatalytic degradation, with an optimal ratio of 9:1.

Experimental analysis and prediction of radionuclide solubility using machine learning models: Effects of organic complexing agents.

Radioactive wastes contain organic complexing agents that can form complexes with radionuclides and enhance the solubility of these radionuclides, increasing the mobility of radionuclides over great distances from a radioactive waste repository. In this study, four radionuclides (cobalt, strontium, iodine, and uranium) and three organic complexing agents (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, and iso-saccharic acid) were selected, and the solubility of these radionuclides was assessed under realistic environmental conditions such as different pHs (7, 9, 11, and 13), temperatures (10 °C, 20 °C, and 40 °C), and organic complexing agent concentrations (10-10 M). A total of 720 datasets were generated from solubility batch experiments.

Optimization of electrochemical regeneration of intercalated MXene for the adsorptive removal of ciprofloxacin: Prospective mechanism.

2D-TiCT MXene nanosheets intercalated with sodium ions (SI-TiCT) were synthesized and utilized in simultaneous adsorption and electrochemical regeneration with ciprofloxacin (CPX). The primary focus of this study is to investigate the long-term stability of SI-Ti3C2Tx MXene and to propose the underlying regeneration mechanisms. The successful synthesis of TiAlC, TiCT MXene, and SI-TiCT MXene was confirmed using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy.

Enhanced bio-electrochemical performance of microbially catalysed anode and cathode in a microbial electrosynthesis system.

Most bio-electrochemical systems (BESs) use biotic/abiotic electrode combinations, with platinum-based abiotic electrodes being the most common. However, the non-renewability, cost, and poisonous nature of such electrode systems based on noble metals are major bottlenecks in BES commercialisation. Microbial electrosynthesis (MES), which is a sustainable energy platform that simultaneously treats wastewater and produces chemical commodities, also faces the same problem.

Microalgae-Based Biohybrid Microrobot for Accelerated Diabetic Wound Healing.

A variety of wound healing platforms have been proposed to alleviate the hypoxic condition and/or to modulate the immune responses for the treatment of chronic wounds in diabetes. However, these platforms with the passive diffusion of therapeutic agents through the blood clot result in the relatively low delivery efficiency into the deep wound site. Here, a microalgae-based biohybrid microrobot for accelerated diabetic wound healing is developed.

Electrocatalytic oxidation of antidiabetic drug metformin adsorbed on intercalated MXene.

Two-dimensional (2D) TiCT transition metal carbide (MXene) nanosheets intercalated with sodium ions (SI-TiCT MXene) were used in the adsorption and electrochemical regeneration process for removal of the antidiabetic drug metformin (MF) as a model emerging pollutant. After MF adsorption, SI-TiCT MXene oxidized the MF on its surface through its electrocatalytic activity at very low current density and cell potential. For complete oxidation the optimum parameters were 0.

Buckwheat hull-derived biochar immobilized in alginate beads for the adsorptive removal of cobalt from aqueous solutions.

Buckwheat hull-derived biochar (BHBC) beads were synthesized by immobilizing biochar powder with alginate. Due to their cation-exchange ability, abundant functional groups, microporous structure, and large surface area, BHBC beads were successfully applied for the removal of cobalt from aqueous solution. The adsorption behavior followed pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Langmuir isotherm model showed a better fit to adsorption data than the Freundlich or Temkin isotherm models.

Development of a three-dimensional macroporous sponge biocathode coated with carbon nanotube-MXene composite for high-performance microbial electrosynthesis systems.

Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a renewable energy platform capable of reducing the carbon footprint by converting carbon dioxide/bicarbonate to useful chemical commodities. However, the development of feasible electrode structures, inefficient current densities, and the production of unfavorable electrosynthesis products remain a major challenge. To this end, a three-dimensional (3D) macroporous sponge coated with a carbon nanotube/MXene composite (CNT-MXene@Sponge) was evaluated as an MES cathode.

MXsorption of mercury: Exceptional reductive behavior of titanium carbide/carbonitride MXenes.

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes) have drawn considerable attention for application in the field of environmental remediation. In this study, we report the simultaneous reductive-adsorption behavior of TiCNT for toxic metal ion Hg ion in the aqueous phase. 2D TiCNT and TiCT MXene nanosheets were synthesized by exfoliation of TiAlCN and TiAlC MAX phases, respectively.

Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of bisphenol A by magnetically separable bismuth oxyiodide magnetite nanocomposites under solar light irradiation.

Bismuth oxyiodide/magnetite (BiOI/FeO) nanocomposites were synthesized by a hydrothermal reaction. The synthesized BiOI/FeO was used to remove bisphenol A (BPA) from an aqueous solution under simulated solar light. The molar ratio of Bi to Fe in BiOI/FeO significantly affected BPA degradation, with the optimal BiOI/FeO (2:1) ratio in the composites.

Cell disruption and astaxanthin extraction from Haematococcus pluvialis: Recent advances.

The green microalga Haematococcus pluvialis is an excellent source of astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant widely used in cosmetics, aquaculture, health foods, and pharmaceuticals. This review explores recent developments in cell disruption and astaxanthin extraction techniques applied using H. pluvialis as a model species for large-scale algal biorefinery.

MXene-coated biochar as potential biocathode for improved microbial electrosynthesis system.

Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) holds tremendous large scale energy storage potential. By promoting the bioconversion of carbon dioxide (bicarbonate) into useful chemical commodities, this technique utilizes renewable energy and reduces carbon footprint. However, expensive electrode materials, low current densities, and multiple electrosynthesis products are major challenges to this field.

MnCoO coated carbon felt anode for enhanced microbial fuel cell performance.

A highly efficient anode is very crucial for an improved microbial fuel cell (MFC) performance. In this study, a binder-free manganese cobalt oxide (MnCoO@CF) anode was synthesized using a conventional carbon felt (CF) by a facile hydrothermal method. A large electrochemically active and rough electrode surface area of MnCoO@CF anode improved the substrate fluxes and microbial adhesion/growth.

Nickel ferrite/MXene-coated carbon felt anodes for enhanced microbial fuel cell performance.

In recent years, the modification of electrode materials for enhancing the power generation of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) has attracted considerable attention. In this study, a conventional carbon felt (CF) electrode was modified by NiFeO (NiFeO@CF), MXene (MXene@CF), and NiFeO-MXene (NiFeO-MXene@CF) using facile dip-and-dry and hydrothermal methods. In these modified CF electrodes, the electrochemical performance considerably improved, while the highest power density (1385 mW/m), which was 5.

Investigating the role of anodic potential in the biodegradation of carbamazepine in bioelectrochemical systems.

Anode potential is a critical factor in the biodegradation of organics in bioelectrochemical systems (BESs), but research on these systems with complex recalcitrant co-substrates at set anode potentials is scarce. In this study, carbamazepine (CBZ) biodegradation in a BES was examined over a wide range of set anode potentials (-200 to +600 mV vs Ag/AgCl). Current generation and current densities were improved with the increase in positive anode potentials.

Exfoliation of Titanium Aluminum Carbide (211 MAX Phase) to Form Nanofibers and Two-Dimensional Nanosheets and Their Application in Aqueous-Phase Cadmium Sequestration.

A green approach was adopted to exfoliate a TiAlC MAX phase. The exfoliated nanostructures (Alk-TiC and Alk-TiC) with exceptional mechanical, thermal, and water stabilites, as well as abundant oxygenated active binding sites, were synthesized via a controlled hydrothermal treatment in an alkaline environment. The successful synthesis of nanofibers and sheetlike nanostructures was inferred with scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses.

Rapid and Automated Quantification of Microalgal Lipids on a Spinning Disc.

We have developed a fully integrated centrifugal microfluidic device for rapid on-site quantification of lipids from microalgal samples. The fully automated serial process involving cell sedimentation and lysis, liquid-liquid extraction, and colorimetric detection of lipid contents was accomplished within 13 min using a lab-on-a-disc. The presented organic solvent-tolerable (for n-hexane, ethanol) microfluidic disc was newly fabricated by combining thermal fusion bonding and carbon dot-based valving techniques.

Digital Microfluidic Approach for Efficient Electroporation with High Productivity: Transgene Expression of Microalgae without Cell Wall Removal.

A unique digital microfluidic electroporation (EP) system successfully demonstrates higher transgene expression than that of conventional techniques, in addition to reliable productivity and feasible integrated processes. By systematic investigations into the effects of the droplet EP conditions for a wild-type microalgae, 1 order of magnitude higher transgene expression is accomplished without cell wall removal over the conventional bulk EP system. In addition, the newly proposed droplet EP method by a droplet contact charging phenomena shows a great potential for the integration of EP processes and on-chip cell culture providing easy controllability of each process.