Green synthesis of self-assembly, self-healing, and injectable polyelectrolyte complex hydrogels using chitosan, sulphated polysaccharides, hydrolyzed collagen and nanocellulose.

This study introduces a green method for preparing self-assembly hydrogels via polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) coacervation using chitosan, sulphated polysaccharides (chondroitin sulphate or fucoidan), and hydrolyzed collagen, followed by treatments, such as centrifugation, nanocellulose incorporation, algal fucoidan substitution, freezing-thawing, saline solution addition, and dialysis. Chitosan alters the non-gelling characteristics of chondroitin sulphate, fucoidan, and hydrolyzed collagen, initiating quick gelling. This study compared the effects of biopolymer concentrations, pHs, and treatments on hydrogel properties.

Breaking the coastal barrier: Typhoons convert estuarine mangroves into sources of microplastics to the ocean.

Estuarine mangroves are crucial for trapping microplastics and contributing to coastal protection; however, their effectiveness during extreme weather events remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of typhoons on microplastic dynamics within the watershed-estuary-offshore system and the changes in the role of estuarine mangroves. Surface water from the Shenzhen River and sediments from estuarine mangroves were sampled after typhoons (Saola and Haikui) and during periods of stable hydrodynamic conditions.

Spatiotemporal Mapping of the Evolution of Silver Nanoparticles in Living Cells.

Bioaccumulated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can undergo transformation and release toxic Ag, which can be further reduced and form secondary AgNPs (AgNPs). However, the intricate interconversions among AgNPs, Ag, and AgNPs remain speculative. Herein, we developed a bioimaging method by coupling the aggregation-induced emission method with the label-free confocal scattering and hyperspectral imaging techniques to quantitatively visualize the biodistribution and biotransformation of AgNPs, AgNPs, and Ag in living cells.

Synthetic molecular cage receptors for carbohydrate recognition.

A captivating challenge in chemistry lies in achieving robust and precise binding of uncharged, hydrophilic carbohydrate entities. Although past decades have provided a variety of excellent molecular architectures tailored for carbohydrate recognition, including acyclic receptors, macrocycles and foldamers, recent advances have highlighted the potential of synthetic molecular cages. These structures are equipped with intricately designed cavities that contain bespoke noncovalent binding sites for carbohydrate interactions.

Taloring sawdust derived hydrochar via red mud for cadmium removal: Electron transfer insight and recyclability assessment.

Iron modified bio-adsorbents gained a lot of attention recently, especially some iron-contain wastes were employed for fabrication. However, the influence of indigenous impurities in wastes was merely investigated. In this study, red mud (RM), an iron-rich by-product was employed as source to prepare Fe modified hydrochar (RM@HC) by a facile hydrothermal method, and then employed for Cd(II) removal from wastewater.

Cerium-based nanohydrolase for fast catalytic hydrolysis of β-lactam antibiotics in wastewater effluents.

To defuse risks of antibiotic residues in effluent to achieve safe wastewater reuse, direct hydrolysis of the functional group responsible for the antibacterial activity, such as the of β-lactam ring in β-lactam antibiotics, has been recognized as an efficient and cost-effective strategy. However, the instability of natural hydrolases limits their use in treating antibiotic-containing wastewater. Herein, inspired by the active site of natural hydrolase, a Ce-based nanohydrolase was created for rapid hydrolysis of β-lactam antibiotics.

Chemical looping ammonia synthesis based on the self-carried active N and Al from aluminum dross as low-cost nitrogen carrier.

Ammonia (NH), as a hydrogen energy carrier, is advantageous for mitigating energy consumption and carbon emission; however, the current Haber process for NH synthesis requires harsh conditions with a low conversion rate. To address these challenges, chemical looping ammonia synthesis (CLAS) has been proposed for utilizing aluminum dross (AD)-a hazardous waste containing sufficient active Al and N as a nitrogen carrier-involving carbon conversion without emissions. AD samples were employed to investigate the performance of CLAS, and the evolution of nitrogen carrier.

Exploring new approach for resource utilization of crab shell waste: Optimized microwave torrefaction parameters and efficient self-desulfurization.

Finding alternative energy sources and reducing the impact of waste on the environment are pressing global challenges. Crab shells possess the dual characteristics of a pollutant and a resource; therefore, transforming them into clean energy is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed for reducing environmental pollution. This study uses microwave torrefaction to treat crab shell waste efficiently and optimizes the torrefaction conditions through response surface methodology to rapid prepare derived fuel.

Wavelength-specific inactivation mechanisms and efficacies of germicidal UVC for airborne human coronavirus.

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) technology can inhibit the environmental transmission of airborne pathogens, but the dose-response behavior of airborne human coronavirus and wavelength-specific inactivation mechanisms are not well understood. This study investigated three competitive UVC sources for their inactivation efficacy and mechanisms against human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43). Results showed the following order of inactivation efficacy: 222-nm KrCl excimer lamp > 263-nm UV-LEDs > 254-nm low-pressure mercury lamp.

Public surface disinfection every 2 hours can reduce the infection risk of norovirus in airports up to 83.

Norovirus, primarily transmitted via fomite route, poses a significant threat to global public health and the economy. Airports, as critical transportation hubs connecting people from around the world, has high potential risk of norovirus transmission due to large number of public surfaces. A total of 21.

P-Doping Modulated RuIr Nanoparticles Anchored on Co/N/C Catalysts with Improved Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution Activity and Stability.

Achieving efficient and stable hydrogen evolution reactions in alkaline conditions is crucial for hydrogen production. In this study, a RuIr/CoNC-P catalyst featuring RuIr alloys alongside P-doping and CoNx sites is developed. RuIr alloying optimizes the electronic structure between Ru and Ir, promoting electron transfer from Ru to Ir.

New Insights into the Visual Toxicity of Organophosphate Esters: An Integrated Quantitative Adverse Outcome Pathway and Cross-chemical Extrapolation.

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) have been documented to adversely affect visual function, potentially impacting wildlife survival and human health, thereby necessitating a comprehensive risk assessment. Despite the quantitative adverse outcome pathway (qAOP) holding promise for addressing this concern mechanistically, unclear mode of action and inadequate quantitative understanding across biological levels currently impede its development. Herein, we employed an integrated strategy, combining multiomics analyses, targeted bioassays, and modular model-fitting, to develop and validate a qAOP framework for visual toxicity of OPEs, exemplified by tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate, triphenyl phosphate, and tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate.

Pyrogenic PAHs Have Different Biogeochemical Fates in the Eastern Indian Ocean.

Understanding the fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the deep ocean is crucial for elucidating the biogeochemical cycle of organic carbon under anthropogenic influences. In this study, surface sediments were collected from the deep sea of the Eastern Indian Ocean (water depth: 2161-4545 m) and analyzed for 29 semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs), including parent PAHs and their alkylated derivatives, as well as source biomarkers. The target SVOCs (∑SVOCs: 23.

Release characteristics of biochar-derived dissolved organic matter and its impact on Cr(vi) adsorption and reduction.

Biochar has received widespread attention as a promising amendment for heavy metal stabilization due to its abundant porosity and surface functional groups. However, the role of biochar-derived dissolved organic matter (BDOM) is usually overlooked. In this study, we systematically investigated the leaching dynamics of BDOM from garden wastes through hydrothermal carbonization (HC), pyrolysis (PC) and hydro/pyrolysis (HPC) and explored their impacts on Cr(vi) environmental behavior in an extremely acidic environment.

Identifying periods impacted by sewer inflow and infiltration using time series anomaly detection.

Accurate diagnosis of sewer inflow and infiltration (I/I) is crucial for ensuring the safe transportation of sewage and the stability of wastewater treatment processes. Identifying periods impacted by I/I is essential for I/I diagnosis, but current methods lack a standard criterion and require adaptation to specific conditions, resulting in low accuracy, complexity, and limited generalizability. This paper proposes a novel approach to distinguish I/I periods from time series of sewer measurements based on anomaly detection theory through an iterative use of a time-series reconstruction model.

Decoding historical and emerging environmental concerns of C chlorinated paraffins: Insights from marine sediment cores in the Pearl River Estuary.

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) readily deposit in sediments upon entering estuaries and adjacent seas. Time-series investigations are indispensable for the long-term monitoring of historical releases and identifying CPs of emerging concerns in the marine environment. In this study, short-, medium-, and long-chain CPs (SCCPs, MCCPs, and LCCPs) were investigated using time-of-flight high-resolution mass spectrometry (ToF-HRMS) in sediment cores, dated between the 1920s and the 2010s sampled from Hong Kong waters and Lingdingyang of the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), South China.

Analysis on Degradation Mechanism and Product Recycle of Ex-service Wind Turbine Blades by Hydrothermal Liquefaction.

The recycling of ex-service wind turbine blades (EWTBs) presents a significant challenge for the future. Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) has emerged as a promising approach for the recovery of resins and glass fibers (GFs) from EWTBs. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the separation mechanisms and product characteristics under the catalytic effect of an acidic medium during the HTL tests.

Rechargeable Lithium-Hydrogen Gas Batteries.

The global clean energy transition and carbon neutrality call for developing high-performance batteries. Here we report a rechargeable lithium metal - catalytic hydrogen gas (Li-H) battery utilizing two of the lightest elements, Li and H. The Li-H battery operates through redox of H/H on the cathode and Li/Li on the anode.

Direct low concentration CO electroreduction to multicarbon products via rate-determining step tuning.

Direct converting low concentration CO in industrial exhaust gases to high-value multi-carbon products via renewable-energy-powered electrochemical catalysis provides a sustainable strategy for CO utilization with minimized CO separation and purification capital and energy cost. Nonetheless, the electrocatalytic conversion of dilute CO into value-added chemicals (C products, e.g.

A comprehensive review on arsenic contamination in groundwater: Sources, detection, mitigation strategies and cost analysis.

While groundwater is commonly perceived as safe, the excessive presence of trace metals, particularly arsenic (As), can pose significant health hazards. This review examines the current scenario of pollutants and their mitigations focusing on As contamination in groundwater across multiple nations, with a specific emphasis on the Indian Peninsula. Arsenic pollution surpasses the WHO limit of 10 ppb in 107 countries, impacting around 230 million people worldwide, with a substantial portion in Asia, including 20 states and four union territories in India.

Towards a circular biorefinery system for efficient biobased furfural and levulinic acid production based on techno-economic analysis.

Furfural (FUR) and levulinic acid (LA) are promising biobased platform chemicals that can be converted into value-added chemicals. An integrated biorefinery process is applied to FUR and LA production from corncob for efficient feedstock and energy utilization. Here, a techno-economic analysis of the integrated process of FUR and LA production was performed.