Biochemical conversion of municipal solid waste to biofuels and bioproducts: a review.

The disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) in urban areas is a big issue nowadays in most of the countries. Developing countries like India are struggling with the continuous indiscriminate disposal of MSW due to rapid increase in the urbanization, industrialization, and human population growth. The mismanagement of MSW causes adverse environmental impacts, public health risks, and other socio-economic problems.

Microbial disintegration of wool: An effective and sustainable approach for keratin extraction.

Keratin is an important biopolymer used to develop biomaterials for biomedical and industrial applications. Traditional keratin extraction methods involve the removal of surface lipids using organic solvents, detergents, and energy-intensive processes that often compromise the purity of the extracted keratin. In the present study, wool fibers were microbially disintegrated to isolate cortical cells, achieving a maximum yield of 61.

Rational Synthesis of Highly Stable Dithienopyrrole-Embedded BODIPYs Exhibiting Large Stokes Shift.

A series of dithienopyrrole (DTP) embedded BODIPYs were synthesized and structurally characterized. These BODIPYs have strong absorption in the green region and broad emission in the red region with a large Stokes shift ranging from 3100 to 4200 cm. Interestingly, all three BODIPYs show intramolecular charge transfer interaction (ICT).

Antibacterial and safe chitosan-graphene hydrogel films: a promising nanotherapeutic for wound infections.

Pathogenic bacterial growth at wound sites, particularly , poses a serious threat during trauma. Delayed treatment can lead to increased inflammation and severe tissue damage. In this study, a chitosan cross-linked polycationic peptide-conjugated graphene-silver (CGrAP) nanocomposite hydrogel film was developed as an antibacterial wound dressing to treat infections.

Covalent Organic Frameworks for Photocatalysis.

The global energy crisis and environmental concerns are driving research into renewable energy and sustainable energy conversion and storage technologies. Solar energy, as an ideal sustainable resource, has significant potential to contribute to the goal of net-zero carbon emissions if effectively harnessed and converted into a reliable and storable form of energy. Photocatalysts have the potential to convert sunlight into chemical energy carriers.

Facile preparation of solid gelatin foams by a water-lean batch foaming process.

Existing polystyrenic and polyolefinic packaging foams are non-biodegradable, and persist in the environment for hundreds of years. Gelatin foams are an interesting alternative, given their biodegradability, biocompatibility, solution-based processability, low cost, and non-toxicity. However, current methods for preparing gelatin foams, such as freeze-drying, microfluidic foaming, and batch foaming, are not suitable for high-volume production.

Chrome-free leather processing based on amine pendant metal-organic frameworks and dialdehyde with enhanced dye affinity.

To overcome the stringent regulations in the usage of chromium salts and dye-rich effluent let out by the tanning industry, a sustainable way of leather processing has been demonstrated utilizing amine pendant metal-organic frameworks (MOF) UiO-66-NH along with glyoxal. It was found that an offer of 8% (w/w) MOF along with 6% (w/w) glyoxal increased the shrinkage temperature of the leathers to 89 ± 2 °C with exhaustion of MOF up to 84.3 ± 1.

A Practical and Metal-Free Approach Towards Synthesis of Spiro-Benzazepinoindole Derivatives via Pentafluorophenol Catalyzed Pictet-Spengler Reaction.

The efficient pentaflurophenol-catalyzed Pictet-Spengler cyclization was carried out which led to the formation of spirobenzazepinoindole. This article examines the methods and modifications of Pictet-Spengler cyclization in the synthesis of intricate organic compounds, emphasizing its significance in drug discovery and development. This reaction generally entails the condensation of an amine with an aldehyde or ketone, succeeded by an intramolecular cyclization step catalyzed by pentafluorophenol, an alternate for metal-mediated catalysts due to its facile characteristics which render it an invaluable asset in organic synthesis and catalysis.

Boosting Supramolecular Gelation Efficiency and Properties: Ionic Strength as a Key to Superior Hydrogels.

Controlling the minimum gelation concentration (MGC) of low molecular weight (LMW) hydrogelators is a key for modulating gel properties, such as mechanical strength, viscoelasticity, and stability, which are crucial for applications ranging from drug delivery to tissue engineering. However, tweaking the MGC under specific conditions, such as pH and/or temperature, poses a considerable challenge. Herein, we varied the ionic strength of buffer solutions using NaCl for several LMW hydrogelators, including Fmoc-Phe, Fmoc-Tyr, Fmoc-Trp, Fmoc-Met, and Fmoc-Cha, and assessed their gelation efficiency at pH 7.

Advancing 2D material predictions: superior work function estimation with atomistic line graph neural networks.

Despite the increased research and scholarly attention on two-dimensional (2D) materials, there is still a limited range of practical applications for these materials. This is because it is challenging to acquire properties that are usually obtained by experiments or first-principles predictions, which require substantial time and resources. Descriptor-based machine learning models frequently require further density functional theory (DFT) calculations to enhance prediction accuracy due to the intricate nature of the systems and the constraints of the descriptors employed.

Transition Metal Anchored Novel Holey Boron Nitride Analogues as Single-Atom Catalysts for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

The increasing global energy demand and environmental pollution necessitate the development of alternative, sustainable energy sources. Hydrogen production through electrochemical methods offers a carbon-free energy solution. In this study, we have designed novel boron nitride analogues (BNyne) and investigated their stability and electronic properties.

Light-Emitting Coordination Polymers: Stimuli-Responsive Gels, PMMA-Based Composite Films, and UV-Shielding.

Lanthanide-based light-emitting coordination polymers (CPs) and CP gels (CPGs) have significance for applications in optical systems, image processing/multiplexing, and optical sensors. In this study, we report two new luminescent CPs (EuL-CP () and TbL-CP ()) and CPGs (EuL-gel () and TbL-gel ()) using lanthanide(III) ions (Ln(III) = Eu(III) and Tb(III)) and 4-(4-carboxyphenyl)-2,2:6,2-terpyridine ligand () capable of forming stable thermoreversible gels. Probable structures of EuL-CP () and TbL-CP () and the formations of EuL-gel () and TbL-gel () are proposed based on adequate computational studies.

Self-Healable Hydrogels from Vegetable Oil: Preparation, Mechanism, and Applications.

Hydrogels are indispensable for a variety of applications. Conventional biomaterial-based hydrogels, typically made from proteins or polysaccharides, often suffer from high costs, poor mechanical properties, and limited chemical functionality for modification. In this work, we present a novel hydrogel developed from modified castor oil, which is a renewable and cost-effective resource.

Mechanistic insights on stabilization and destabilization effect of ionic liquids on type I collagen fibrils.

Tuned assembly of collagen has tremendous applications in the field of biomedical and tissue engineering owing to its targeted biological functionalities. In this study, ionic liquids choline dihydrogen citrate (CDHC) and diethyl methyl ammonium methane sulfonate (AMS) have been used to regulate the self-assembly of collagen at its physiological pH by probing the assembled systems at certain concentration ratios of ionic liquids and the systems were studied using various characterization methods. Due to interaction with collagen, choline dihydrogen citrate causes delay in the collagen fibrillisation process showing no binding interactions with collagen.

Restricted Intramolecular Rotation: A Dual Fluorescence Response to Hg Quenching and Ag Enhancement in Live Rhizoctonia Solani Cells.

A novel imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivative probe (R) was designed, synthesized, and characterized via various characterization techniques, such as ESI-MS, H NMR, C NMR, and Dept-135 NMR. The data obtained from single-crystal XRD reveal that probe R has a coplanar configuration and is part of the monoclinic crystal system, designated the P2(1)/n space group. The fluorescence of (R) is further enhanced by silver (I) ions.

DFT and machine learning guided investigation into the design of new dual-atom catalysts based on α-2 graphyne.

The realm of atomic catalysts has witnessed notable advancements; yet, the predominant focus remains on single atomic catalysts (SACs). The exploration and successful implementation of dual atomic catalysts (DACs) pose intricate challenges, primarily concerning thermodynamic stability and optimal metallic composition. To address these issues, we present a comprehensive theoretical investigation of α-2 graphyne (GPY)-based DACs, synthesized in-house with a keen focus on formation stability.

Syntheses of Novel Spirobenzazepinoindole Derivatives via Lewis-Acid Catalyzed Pictet-Spengler Cyclization.

The syntheses of novel spirobenzazepinoindole derivatives has been achieved through a highly efficient and synthetic route. The approach involves a two-step reaction, utilizing indole derivatives, 2-amino benzyl alcohol, and ninhydrin as key starting materials under mild reaction conditions. The reaction proceeds via a sequential cascade process involving cyclization, condensation and spiro-annulation, leading to the formation of the spirobenzazepinoindole core structure in good to excellent yields.

Breaking Barriers in Photothermal Tumor Therapy: A Cascade of Strain-Engineered Nanozyme in Action.

Cancer, a deadly and constantly evolving disease, has always been difficult to treat due to the complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Cancer nanomedicines are proving to be a much better alternative for treatment due to their stability and ability to provide an efficient targeted therapy. An amorphous alloy bimetallene with an introduction of 2 % tensile strain with photothermal multiple enzyme-like catalytic activity is being presented here that functions as a TME-responsive nanozyme.

Wavelength specific aggregation induced emission in aqueous media permits selective detection of Ag and Hg ions.

A new 1,8-naphthalimide derivative (probe 1) adopts V-shaped structure, emits fluorescence and displays the Mie effect and aggregation-induced emission (AIE). Selective interactions of thiophilic Ag and Hg ions (10 µM) with 1 (10 µM) resulted in AIEs at 499 and 521 nm, respectively. Both Ag and Hg induce the formation of 1:2 complexes with 1, leading to the formation of AIE active aggregates with an average size of 423 and 198 nm, respectively.

Enhancing bone repair through improved angiogenesis and osteogenesis using mesoporous silica nanoparticle-loaded Konjac glucomannan-based interpenetrating network scaffolds.

We have fabricated and characterized novel bioactive nanocomposite interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) scaffolds to treat bone defects by loading mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) into blends of Konjac glucomannan, polyvinyl alcohol, and polycaprolactone. By loading MSNs, we developed a porous nanocomposite scaffold with mechanical strengths comparable to cancellous bone. In vitro cell culture studies proved the cytocompatibility of the nanocomposite scaffolds.

Mechanistic Insight of High-Valent First-Row Transition Metal Complexes for Dehydrogenation of Ammonia Borane.

Designing an efficient and cost-effective catalyst for ammonia borane () dehydrogenation remains a persistent challenge in advancing a hydrogen-based economy. Transition metal complexes, known for their C-H bond activation capabilities, have emerged as promising candidates for dehydrogenation. In this study, we investigated two recently synthesized C-H activation catalysts, (Co-dinitrate complex) and (Ni-nitrate complex), and demonstrated their efficacy for dehydrogenation.