Enhancement of photocatalytic efficiency of copper oxide/zinc oxide-montmorillonite photocatalyst under visible light irradiation.

The formation of copper oxide and zinc oxide mixture in montmorillonite was conducted by the reaction of an aqueous dispersion of Cu/Zn exchanged montmorillonite and an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide under hydrothermal treatment. The resulting product was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmittance electron microscopies, as well as UV-visible and photoluminescence spectroscopies. The diffuse reflectance absorption spectra showed the absorption onsets due to copper oxide (885 nm) and zinc oxide (310 and 580 nm) in the product.

Preparation and Application of a Zinc Oxide/Microcrystalline Cellulose Composite as a Cure Activator in Comparison with a Commercial Zinc Oxide Composite.

This study aimed to synthesize a new grade of ZnO composite by depositing nanosized ZnO on microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), named MCC-ZnO, and compared its performance as a cure activator with an existing commercial ZnO composite using inorganic nanoparticles as a supporting core, named herein as In-ZnO. The results reveal that the synthesized MCC-ZnO consisted of approximately 50% wt. of nanosized ZnO, whereas the commercial one contained approximately 60% wt.

Improving the efficiency of Cr(vi) reduction and adsorption by FeO using ZSM-5 zeolite support prepared through various methods.

The study involved the synthesis of magnetite (FeO) and zeolite-supported FeO (Fe/Z) using co-precipitation (COP) and hydrothermal (HYD) methods which proved effective for removing Cr(vi) from contaminated water. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that the FeO phase had a cubic crystal structure. The COP method resulted in lower crystallinity compared to the HYD method.

Colorimetric sensor comprising metal-organic frameworks and molecularly imprinted polymers for aflatoxin B1 detection in agricultural commodities.

A novel colorimetric sensor was developed by integrating cerium metal-organic frameworks with molecularly imprinted polymers (Ce-MOF@MIP) for the highly selective and sensitive detection of Aflatoxin B1. The resulting composite leverages the peroxidase-like activity of cerium metal-organic frameworks to catalyze the oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, while imprinted cavities confer specificity toward Aflatoxin B1. Detection is facilitated by monitoring the inhibition of the composite's catalytic activity, manifesting as colorimetric changes that can be quantified using ImageJ.

Facilitating Charge Separation and CO Adsorption in g-CN by Fe Single Atoms on 2D Nitro-Oxygeneous Carbon for Efficient Artificial Photosynthesis.

Photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO), so-called artificial photosynthesis, has been regarded as the future technology with high potential to sustainably address global warming. However, the efficiency and stability of the catalysts used in this frontier technology are substantially lower than the requirement for practical application and need to be further improved, especially for gas-phase reactions. In this work, the composites of iron single-atom catalysts (Fe-SACs) supported on N/O-doped carbon and graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) were fabricated to promote the gas-solid phase photocatalytic CO reduction under the simulated sunlight.

Dual-mode luminescence and colorimetric sensing for Al and Fe/Fe ions in water using a zinc coordination polymer.

A zinc(II) coordination polymer, [Zn(Hdhtp)(2,2'-bpy)(HO)] (1), has been utilized as a dual-mode luminescence-colorimetric sensor (Hdhtp = 2,5-dihydroxy terephthalate and 2,2'-bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine). The presence of hydroxyl groups in Hdhtp can promote excited-state intra- and intermolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) phenomena. Therefore, compound 1, which displays high stability in aqueous environments, exhibits a strong green-yellow photoluminescence.

Development of Antibacterial Hydrogels Based on Biopolymer Aloe Vera/Gelatin/Sodium Alginate Composited With SM-AgNPs Loaded Curcumin-Nanoliposomes.

To address the rising prevalence of bacterial infections and the need for innovative therapeutic solutions, this study has developed a novel antibacterial hydrogel composite composed of Aloe vera, gelatin, sodium alginate, and Sterculia monosperma-silver nanoparticles (SM-AgNPs) loaded curcumin-nanoliposomes (NLPs). The aloe vera/gelatin/sodium alginate hydrogels (AGS) are prepared using different weight ratios of Aloe vera, gelatin, and sodium alginate, aiming to optimize mechanical properties and biocompatibility for biomedical applications. The incorporation of SM-AgNPs and curcumin-loaded NLPs enhanced the hydrogels' antibacterial properties.

Biodegradable antibacterial food packaging based on carboxymethyl cellulose from sugarcane bagasse/cassava starch/chitosan/gingerol extract stabilized silver nanoparticles (Gin-AgNPs) and vanillin as cross-linking agent.

The increasing issue of plastic waste necessitates improved solutions, and biodegradable food packaging is a promising alternative to traditional plastic. In this study, we prepared packaging films using cassava starch (CV), chitosan (CT) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), with glycerol as a plasticizer. However, these films require modifications to enhance their mechanical properties.

Zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 in chitosan-grafted hydrogel as an effective catalyst for peroxymonosulfate activation to degrade antibiotics and dyes.

Zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (ZIF-67) was synthesized in the hydrogel of chitosan-grafted poly(acrylic acid) (chitosan--PAA) to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and degrade tetracycline (TC). The catalytic performance of the composite hydrogel for TC degradation was evaluated under different conditions. The results showed rapid degradation, with enhanced degradation efficiency as the catalyst dosage, PMS dosage, and temperature increased.

A novel electrochemical sensor based on ꞵ-cyclodextrin/bismuth oxybromide/multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified electrode with in situ addition of tetrabutylammonium bromide for the simultaneous detection and degradation of tebuconazole.

A novel electrochemical sensor-based glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was fabricated and applied to simultaneous detection and degradation of tebuconazole (TBZ) for the first time. The GCE was consecutively modified by multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), bismuth oxybromide (BiOBr), ꞵ-cyclodextrin (ꞵ-CD), and in situ addition of tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBABr). The detection was based on the decreasing of Bi signal at its anodic potential (E) of 0.

Ultrasound-assisted formation of composite materials from fish scale waste hydroxyapatite in the presence of gamma-irradiated chitosan for the removal of malachite green.

The fish processing sector produces millions of tons of trash annually-a biologically dangerous substance that could eventually turn into a source of pathogenic contamination. This work successfully shows how to extract tilapia fish scale hydroxyapatite with ultrasonic assistance and modify it using gamma-irradiated chitosan to remove malachite green from water samples. The prepared adsorbent was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic light scattering.

Precise Regulation of Interlayer Stacking Modes in Trinuclear Copper Organic Frameworks for Efficient Photocatalytic Reduction of Uranium(VI).

The interlayer stacking modes of 2D covalent-organic frameworks (COFs) directly influence their structural features, ultimately determining their functional output. However, controllably modulating the interlayer stacking structure in traditional 2D metal-free COFs, based on the same building blocks, remains challenging. Here, two trinuclear copper organic frameworks are synthesized successfully with different interlayer stacking structures: eclipsed AA stacking in Cu-PA-COF-AA and staggered ABC stacking in Cu-PA-COF-ABC, using the same monomers.

Multi-residue analysis method based on QuEChERS followed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detector for pesticides in human serum and breast milk.

Maternal fluids play a key role in the risk assessment regarding early life pesticide exposure as the chemicals can transfer to neonate through prenatal exposure and lactation. A developed UHPLC-DAD and modified QuChERS methods were validated for human serum and breast milk. Matrix effect of the biological samples were evaluated.

Preparation of PVP-BiOBr Adsorbent for Efficient Indigo Carmine Dye Removal Using Flow-Circulation Systems.

This work presents an adsorptive removal of indigo carmine (IC) dye using a polyvinylpyrrolidone capped bismuth oxybromide (PVP-BiOBr) adsorbent. PVP-BiOBr was synthesized via a simple precipitation method. The morphology and surface chemical structure of the adsorbent were characterized using XRD, SEM, FTIR, and BET analyses.

Comparative investigation of known and unknown disinfection by-product precursor removal and microbial community from biological biochar and activated carbon filters.

Biological activated carbon filter (BAC) is one of the most effective technologies for removing disinfection by-product (DBP) precursors from water. Biochar is a lower-cost medium that has the potential to replace granular activated carbon in BAC applications, thus leading to the development of biological biochar filter (BCF). This study compared BCF with BAC for the removal of DBP precursors using column experiments.

Integrated remediation and detoxification of triclocarban-contaminated water using waste-derived biochar-immobilized cells by long-term column experiments.

Triclocarban (TCC), an antibacterial agent commonly used in personal care products, is one of the top ten contaminants of emerging concern in various environmental media, including soil and contaminated water in vadose zone. This study aimed to investigate TCC-contaminated water remediation using biochar-immobilized bacterial cells. Pseudomonas fluorescens strain MC46 (MC46), an efficient TCC-degrading isolate, was chosen, whereas agro-industrial carbonized waste as biochar was directly used as a sustainable cell immobilization carrier.

Hydrothermal synthesis of Zingiber/ZnO for enhanced photodegradation of ofloxacin antibiotic and reactive red azo dye (RR141).

The examination of photocatalyst powders for the total removal of pollutants from aqueous solutions is a vital research subject within the realm of environmental preservation. The objective of this study is to develop a photocatalyst heterojunction consisting of Zingiber/ZnO-H for the degradation of both the reactive red dye (RR 141) and ofloxacin antibiotic in wastewater. The current investigation outlines the process of synthesising a composite material by combining Zingiber montanum extract with zinc oxide (ZnO) by a hydrothermal method.

Sustainable methods for the carboxymethylation and methylation of ursolic acid with dimethyl carbonate under mild and acidic conditions.

Ursolic acid is a triterpene plant extract that exhibits significant potential as an anti-cancer, anti-tumour, and anti-inflammatory agent. Its direct use in the pharmaceutical industry is hampered by poor uptake of ursolic acid in the human body coupled with rapid metabolism causing a decrease in bioactivity. Modification of ursolic acid can overcome such issues, however, use of toxic reagents, unsustainable synthetic routes and poor reaction metrics have limited its potential.

Biological Monitoring of Glyphosate Exposure among Knapsack Sprayers in Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Sprayers' exposure to glyphosate was analyzed through detection of its biomarker in spot urine biological monitoring, and the health risk was assessed using the biomatrix model. Urine samples were collected from 15 sprayers after spraying, and the glyphosate concentration was determined by using the DLLME-HPLC method with a UV detector. The calibration curve for glyphosate was linear in the range of 0.

Controlling Gold Nanoparticle Synthesis and Size for Catalysis.

Gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) are used as catalysts for a diverse range of industrial applications. Currently, Au-NPs are synthesized chemically, but studies have shown that plants fed Au deposit, this element naturally as NPs within their tissues. The resulting plant material can be used to make biomass-derived catalysts.

Luminescence turn-on sensor for the selective detection of trace water and methanol based on a Zn(ii) coordination polymer with 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalate.

A highly selective detection of trace water in organic solvents is urgently required for the chemical industry. In this work, the simple sonochemical method was used for producing a luminescent sensor, [Zn(Hdhtp)(2,2'-bpy)(HO)] (Zn-CP) (Hdhtp = 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalate and 2,2'-bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine). Zn-CP exhibits reversible thermally-induced and methanol-mediated structural transformation.

Co-adsorbed chitosan-grafted-poly(acrylic acid) hydrogel as peroxymonosulfate activator for effective dye degradation.

In this work, chitosan-grafted-poly(acrylic acid) (CS-g-PAA) was synthesized for use as a Co adsorbent and circularly utilized as a peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activator in the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) dye. CS-g-PAA demonstrated 3.7 times higher adsorption capacity toward Co than pristine chitosan.