Sustained Release Studies of Metformin Hydrochloride Drug Using Conducting Polymer/Gelatin-Based Composite Hydrogels.

The present work highlights the synthesis and characterization of conducting polymer (CP)-based composite hydrogels with gelatin (GL-B) for their application as drug delivery vehicles. The spectral, morphological, and rheological properties of the synthesized hydrogels were explored, and morphological studies confirmed formation of an intense interpenetrating network. Rheological measurements showed variation in the flow behavior with the type of conducting polymer.

Performance investigation of poly(vinylidene fluoride-cohexafluoropropylene) membranes containing SiO nanoparticles in a newly designed single vacuum membrane distillation system.

The current study focuses on the development of a superhydrophobic poly(vinylidene fluoride-cohexafluoropropylene) nanocomposite membrane suitable for vacuum membrane distillation by incorporating SiO nanoparticles. At loading hydrophobic nano-SiO particle concentration (0.50-1.

Graphene Oxide-Polyphenylsulfone Nanocomposite Beads for Paracetamol Removal from Aqueous Solution.

This study introduces a promising and practical method for the removal of paracetamol from aqueous environments, employing graphene oxide-polymer nanocomposite beads. The approach involves the utilization of a straightforward and facile phase inversion method, offering a convenient and efficient one-step process for the creation of adsorbent beads by integrating polymers and graphene oxide (GO). The synthesized nanocomposite beads are tailored for the removal of paracetamol from simulated wastewater in batch systems.

A Systematic Approach Focused on Machine Learning Models for Exploring the Landscape of Physiological Measurement and Estimation Using Photoplethysmography (PPG).

A non-invasive optical technique known as photoplethysmography (PPG) can be used to provide various physiological measurements and estimations. PPG can be used to assess cardiovascular disease (CVD). Hypertension is a primary risk factor for CVD and a major health problem worldwide.

A sustainable approach for the removal of pharmaceutical contaminants from effluent using polyamide thin-film composite membranes integrated with Zn-based metal organic frameworks.

This study addresses the significant concern of pharmaceutical contaminants, including antipyretic and antibiotic drugs, in municipal and industrial wastewater, impacting both the environment and human health. We investigate incorporating zinc-based metal-organic framework (Zn-MOF) nanofillers into polyamide layers, developing thin-film composite (PA-TFC) nanofiltration membranes via interfacial polymerization to remove paracetamol, ibuprofen, and amoxicillin from simulated wastewater. Characterization confirms Zn-MOF's presence in the PA-TFC membrane, affecting structural topology, pore size, contact angles, and zeta potential.

Efficient visible light-induced photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride using CuFeO and PANI/CuFeO nanohybrids.

Tetracycline hydrochloride (TC-HCl) is widely implemented as a wide-ranging antibacterial drug in medical care and animal husbandry, in spite of having negative effects on the environment and human health. Photocatalytic treatment is one of the popular techniques used to treat TC-HCl in wastewater. In this study, we have used CuFeO and CuFeO/polyaniline (PANI) nanohybrids as photocatalysts for the degradation of TC-HCl.

Scale Design of Dual-Layer Polyphenylsulfone/Sulfonated Polyphenylsulfone Hollow Fiber Membranes for Nanofiltration.

This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of dual-layer sulfonated polyphenylenesulfone (SPPSu) nanocomposite hollow fiber nanofiltration membranes incorporating titanium dioxide (TiO) nanoparticles through the phase inversion technique. Advanced tools and methods were employed to systematically evaluate the properties and performance of the newly developed membranes. The investigation primarily centered on the impact of TiO addition in the SPPSu inner layer on pure water permeability and salt rejection.

Sustainable removal of phenol from wastewater using a biopolymer hydrogel adsorbent comprising crosslinked chitosan and κ-carrageenan.

A biopolymer-based adsorbent comprising chitosan (CS) and κ-carrageenan (κ-Carr) was synthesised and evaluated to treat phenolic-contaminated water. The developed CS/κ-Carr hydrogel demonstrated excellent performance with a phenol adsorption uptake of 80 %. The morphologies of CS/κ-Carr hydrogels with different ratios of CS to κ-Carr ranging from 1:2 to 7:3 were characterised using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy; their chemical structures were investigated by spectral analyses using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry; their adsorption characteristics were determined using tests for swelling, chemical stability, hygroscopic moisture content, and hydrophilicity.

Synthesis and characterization of pH-responsive conducting polymer/Na-alginate/gelatin based composite hydrogels for sustained release of amoxicillin drug.

Composite hydrogels of Na-Alginate (Na-ALG) and Gelatin (GEL) with conducting polymers (CPs) were synthesised using poly(o-phenylenediamine) (POPD), polyaniline (PANI), poly(1-naphthylamine (PNA) and poly(vinylenedine fluoride) (PVDF). The synthesised hydrogels were characterized using FTIR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) rheology, swelling ability and in-vitro drug release characteristics. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether these hydrogels could be used to deliver antibiotics for extended drug release.

Microwave-assisted rapid degradation of Methyl red dye using Polyfuran/Polythiophene and its Co-oligomers as catalysts.

The work reports for the first time microwave-assisted degradation of Methyl Red (MR) dye using polythiophene (PTh), polyfuran (PFu) and its co-oligomers. The co-oligomers were synthesized by sonication using varying mol ratios of PFu/PTh (80:20, 50:50 and 20:80). The polymers and its co-oligomers were analyzed for their spectral and morphological properties using FTIR, UV-visible and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with elemental mapping.

Recent Advancements in Polyphenylsulfone Membrane Modification Methods for Separation Applications.

Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) membranes are of fundamental importance for many applications such as water treatment, gas separation, energy, electronics, and biomedicine, due to their low cost, controlled crystallinity, chemical, thermal, and mechanical stability. Numerous research studies have shown that modifying surface properties of PPSU membranes influences their stability and functionality. Therefore, the modification of the PPSU membrane surface is a pressing issue for both research and industrial communities.

Transformation of hazardous sacred incense sticks ash waste into less toxic product by sequential approach prior to their disposal into the water bodies.

Incense sticks ash is one of the most unexplored by-products generated at religious places and houses obtained after the combustion of incense sticks. Every year, tonnes of incense sticks ash is produced at religious places in India which are disposed of into the rivers and water bodies. The presence of heavy metals and high content of alkali metals challenges a potential threat to the living organism after the disposal in the river.

Thin-Film Nanocomposite Membrane Incorporated with Porous Zn-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks: Toward Enhancement of Desalination Performance and Chlorine Resistance.

Metal-organic framework (MOF) materials have received extensive attention for the design of advanced thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes with excellent permselectivity. However, the relationship between the unique physicochemical properties and performance of engineered MOF-based membranes has yet to be extensively investigated. In this work, we investigate the incorporation of porous zinc-based MOFs (Zn-MOFs) into a polyamide active layer for the fabrication of TFN membranes on porous poly(phenylsulfone) (PPSU) support layers through an interfacial polymerization approach.

Fabrication of different SnO nanorods for enhanced photocatalytic degradation and antibacterial activity.

The acid-mediated (oxalic acid [OXA], cinnamic acid [CA], and itaconic acid [IA]) SnO nanorods were synthesized by the hydrothermal method. The synthesized SnO nanorods, in turn, were analyzed with various physico-chemical techniques such as the X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activity of the different SnO nanorods was investigated with the malachite green (MG) dye under visible light illumination.

Variations and similarities in structural, chemical, and elemental properties on the ashes derived from the coal due to their combustion in open and controlled manner.

Coal fly ash (CFA) and coal-based incense sticks ash (ISA) have several similarities and differences due to the presence of coal as a common component in both of them. CFA are produced from the combustion of pulverized coal during electricity production in the thermal power plants while ISA are produced from the burning of incense sticks at religious places and at houses. A typical black colored Indian, incense sticks are mainly are comprised of coal powder or potassium nitrate, wood chip, fragrance, binder or binding agent, and bamboo sticks.

Chromium contamination and effect on environmental health and its remediation: A sustainable approaches.

Chromium (Cr) is a trace element critical to human health and well-being. In the last few decades, its contamination, especially hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] form in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, has amplified as a result of various anthropogenic activities. Chromium pollution is a significant environmental threat, severely impacting our environment and natural resources, especially water and soil.

Removal of Cadmium and Chromium by Mixture of Silver Nanoparticles and Nano-Fibrillated Cellulose Isolated from Waste Peels of Citrus Sinensis.

Nano-fibrillated cellulose (NFC) was extracted by a chemical method involving alkali and acid hydrolysis. The characterisation of the citrus sinensis fruit peel bran and nano-fibrillated cellulose was performed by XRD, FTIR, TEM, and FESEM. XRD confirmed the phase of NFC which showed monoclinic crystal with spherical to rod shape morphology with a size of 44-50 nm.

Dye Separation and Antibacterial Activities of Polyaniline Thin Film-Coated Poly(phenyl sulfone) Membranes.

We fabricated a nanofiltration membrane consisting of a polyaniline (PANI) film on a polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) substrate membrane. The PANI film acted as a potent separation enhancer and antimicrobial coating. The membrane was analyzed via scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy to examine its morphology, topography, contact angle, and zeta potential.

Evaluating heavy metals contamination in soil and vegetables in the region of North India: Levels, transfer and potential human health risk analysis.

This study determined the heavy metals (HMs) accumulation in different vegetables in different seasons and attributed a serious health hazard to human adults due to the consumption of such vegetables in Jhansi. The total amounts of zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), and cadmium (Cd) were analysed in 28 composite samples of soil and vegetables (Fenugreek, spinach, eggplant, and chilli) collected from seven agricultural fields. The transfer factor (TF) of HMs from soil to analysed vegetables was calculated, and significant non-carcinogenic health risks due to exposure to analysed heavy metals via consumption of these vegetables were computed.

Synthesis and characterization of polyvinyl alcohol/corn starch/linseed polyol-based hydrogel loaded with biosynthesized silver nanoparticles.

Nanocomposite hydrogel film was prepared from Polyvinyl alcohol [PVA], Corn Starch [CS], Linseed oil polyol [LP], and silver nanoparticles [NP]. LP was prepared by epoxidation and hydration of Linseed oil [LO]. IR and NMR supported the insertion of hydroxyl groups in LP by epoxide ring opening reaction at epoxidized LO.

A highly permeable zinc-based MOF/polyphenylsulfone composite membrane with elevated antifouling properties.

In this study, for the first time, a highly permeable composite membrane was constructed by incorporating a zinc-based metal-organic framework (Zn-MOF) in a polyphenylsulfone matrix for the elevation of antifouling properties. Owing to the hydrophilic nature and high surface charge, this membrane demonstrated effective bovine serum albumin (a model protein) rejection and antifouling characteristics.

A Novel Approach To Optimize the Fabrication Conditions of Thin Film Composite RO Membranes Using Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm II.

This work focuses on developing a novel method to optimize the fabrication conditions of polyamide (PA) thin film composite (TFC) membranes using the multi-objective genetic algorithm II (MOGA-II) method. We used different fabrication conditions for formation of polyamide layer-trimesoyl chloride (TMC) concentration, reaction time (t), and curing temperature (Tc)-at different levels, and designed the experiment using the factorial design method. Three functions (polynomial, neural network, and radial basis) were used to generate the response surface model (RSM).

Probing the surface ultrastructure of Brevibacillus laterosporus using atomic force microscopy.

One of the main obstacles to studying the surface ultrastructure of microbial cells by atomic force microscopy (AFM) is determining how to immobilize live cells on the AFM substrates. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. The aim of this study was to characterize a new simple and inexpensive method using two types of polyethersulfone (PES) membrane filters that differ in pore size (micropore and nanopore) to immobilize live and dead Brevibacillus laterosporus for AFM imaging.