Efficient Removal of Pharmaceutical Contaminants from Aqueous Solution Using Plant-Derived Biosurfactant-Assisted Dissolved Air Flotation Process.

This study investigates the removal of ibuprofen and diclofenac from aqueous media via a fully pressurized dissolved air flotation system, enhanced by fenugreek-derived saponin, a plant-based biosurfactant. The use of fenugreek saponin in flotation processes distinguishes this work from previous studies as it offers an ecofriendly and efficient alternative to chemical surfactants. The biosurfactant's surface-active properties were confirmed through FT-IR, UV-vis spectroscopy identified key functional groups and structural characteristics of the saponin, NMR provided molecular insights into its bioactive components, and surface tension analyses demonstrated its ability to reduce interfacial tension, indicating effective surfactant behavior.

Fabrication of novel amine-functionalized magnetic silica nanoparticles for toxic metals: kinetic and isotherm modeling.

In this research, an amine-functionalized magnetic silica nanosorbent was prepared using the co-precipitation technique, and this nanosorbent can be effortlessly detached using an external magnetic field. FTIR and SEM analyses identified that the nanosorbent holds extraordinary adsorption characteristics for toxic metals' (copper, cadmium, zinc, and nickel) removal. The adsorption-affecting parameters were optimized, and the thermodynamic studies assessed that the adsorption process seemed to be spontaneous, feasible, and exothermic.