Label-free impedimetric analysis of microplastics dispersed in aqueous media polluted by Pb ions.

The rapid differentiation between polluted and unpolluted microplastics (MPs) is critical for tracking their presence in the environment and underpinning their potential risks to humans. However, the quantitative analysis of polluted microplastics on the field is limited by the lack of rapid methods that do not need optical analysis nor their capture onto sophisticated electrochemical sensor platforms. Herein, a simple analytical approach for MPs dispersed in aqueous media leveraging electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis on screen-printed sensors is presented.

Schiff Base-Based Hydrogel Embedded with Generated Silver Nanoparticles Capped by a Hyaluronic Acid-Diethylenetriamine Derivative for Wound Healing Application.

In this study, hydrogels were produced using a Schiff base reaction between two hyaluronic acid derivatives: one containing aldehyde groups (HA-Ald) and the other holding a diethylenetriamine with terminal amino groups (HA-DETA). The DETA portion promotes the growth, complexation, and stabilization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), eliminating the need for external reducing agents. The reaction between HA-DETA and HA-Ald leads to the formation of imine bonds, which results in dynamically pH-responsive cross-linking.

Sustainable soy protein microsponges for efficient removal of lead (II) from aqueous environments.

Protein-based materials recently emerged as good candidates for water cleaning applications, due to the large availability of the constituent material, their biocompatibility and the ease of preparation. In this work, new adsorbent biomaterials were created from Soy Protein Isolate (SPI) in aqueous solution using a simple environmentally friendly procedure. Protein microsponge-like structures were produced and characterized by means of spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy methods.

Hydrocarbons removal from synthetic bilge water by adsorption onto biochars of dead Posidonia oceanica.

Bilge waters are wastewaters produced on boats during navigation and usually contain hydrocarbons and oils. They cannot be directly released into the sea if not below a hydrocarbons concentration limit set by current legislation. Appropriate oil in water separator (OWS) systems can be installed on board boats to remove hydrocarbons from bilge water allowing their spillage into the sea.

Lead(II) ions adsorption onto amyloid particulates: An in depth study.

The production of new cost-effective biocompatible sorbent sustainable materials, with natural origins, able to remove heavy metals from water resources is nowadays highly desirable in order to reduce pollution and increase clean water availability. In this context, self-assembled protein materials with amyloid structures seem to have a great potential as natural platform for a broader development of highly-tunable structures. In this work we show how protein particulates, a generic form of protein aggregates, with spherical micro sized shape can be used as adsorbents of Pb ions from aqueous solution.

Evaluation of adsorption ability of cyclodextrin-calixarene nanosponges towards Pb ion in aqueous solution.

Different cyclodextrin-calixarene nanosponges (CyCaNSs) have been characterized by means of FFC-NMR relaxometry, and used as sorbents to remove Pb ions from aqueous solutions. Considering that the removal treatments may involve polluted waters with different characteristics, the adsorption experiments were performed on solutions without and with the addition of background salts, under different operational conditions. The adsorption abilities and affinities of the nanosponges towards Pb ions were investigated by measuring the metal ion concentration by means of Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (DP-ASV).

8-Hydroxyquinoline-2-Carboxylic Acid as Possible Molybdophore: A Multi-Technique Approach to Define Its Chemical Speciation, Coordination and Sequestering Ability in Aqueous Solution.

8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carboxylic acid () has been found in high concentrations (0.5-5.0 mmol·dm) in the gut of Noctuid larvae (and in a few other lepidopterans), in which it is proposed to act as a siderophore.

Speciation Studies of Bifunctional 3-Hydroxy-4-Pyridinone Ligands in the Presence of Zn at Different Ionic Strengths and Temperatures.

The acid-base properties of two bifunctional 3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone ligands and their chelating capacity towards Zn, an essential bio-metal cation, were investigated in NaCl aqueous solutions by potentiometric, UV-Vis spectrophotometric, and H NMR spectroscopic titrations, carried out at 0.15 ≤ /mol ≤ 1.00 and 288.

A critical approach to the toxic metal ion removal by hazelnut and almond shells.

The adsorption capacity of ground hazelnut (HS) and almond (AS) shells towards Pb(II) and Cd(II) has been studied at pH = 5, in NaNO and NaCl ionic media, in the ionic strength range 0.05-0.5 mol L.

Pb(II) adsorption by a novel activated carbon - alginate composite material. A kinetic and equilibrium study.

The adsorption capacity of an activated carbon - calcium alginate composite material (ACAA-Ca) has been tested with the aim of developing a new and more efficient adsorbent material to remove Pb(II) ion from aqueous solution. The study was carried out at pH=5, in NaCl medium and in the ionic strength range 0.1-0.

Evaluation and comparison of trace metal accumulation in different tissues of potential bioindicator organisms: Macrobenthic filter feeders Styela plicata, Sabella spallanzanii, and Mytilus galloprovincialis.

Trace metal concentrations were measured in different tissues of Sabella spallanzanii, Styela plicata, and Mytilus galloprovincialis collected in the Termini Imerese Harbor (Sicily, Italy) to evaluate the potential use of these species as bioindicators. Higher bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) were calculated in the tube of S. spallanzanii, except for As, which had a higher BAF in the branchial crown of the same species.

Experimental and robust modeling approach for lead(II) uptake by alginate gel beads: influence of the ionic strength and medium composition.

Systematic kinetic and equilibrium studies on the lead ions removal ability by Ca-alginate gel beads have been performed by varying several internal parameters, namely, number of gel beads, nature and composition of the ionic medium and pH, which allowed us to model a wastewater in order to closely reproduce the composition of a real sample. Moreover, the effects brought about the different ionic species present in the reacting medium have been evaluated. Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (DP-ASV), has been systematically used to perform kinetic and equilibrium measurements over continuous time in a wide range of concentration.