Harnessing synergy: Polydopamine-hBN integration in electrospun nanofibers for Co (II) ion, methylene blue and crystal violet dyes adsorption.

In today's world, major pollutants, such as cationic dyes and heavy metals, pose a serious threat to human health and the environment. In this study, a novel adsorbent was created through the electrospinning of polyvinyl alcohol/polyacrylic acid (PVA/PAA), incorporated with hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) coated with polydopamine (PDA). The integration of hBN and PDA substantially enhanced the adsorption capacity of the PVA/PAA fibers, making them highly effective in adsorbing cationic dyes such as methylene blue and crystal violet, as well as cobalt (II) ions, from contaminated water. The adsorbents were assessed to understand how their adsorption behavior varies with pH, as well as to examine their adsorption kinetics and isotherms. The results indicate that the PVA/PAA-hBN@PDA adsorbent has maximum adsorption capacities of 1029.57 mg/g, 793.65 mg/g, and 62.46 mg/g for methylene blue, crystal violet, and cobalt (II) ions, respectively. This underscores the superior performance of the PVA/PAA-hBN@PDA adsorbent when compared to both the PVA/PAA and PVA/PAA-hBN adsorbents. The adsorption kinetics adhered to a pseudo-second-order model, indicating chemisorption, whereas the Langmuir model implied a monolayer adsorption. Overall, the findings of this study highlight the efficacy of harnessing the synergistic capabilities of hBN and PDA within the PVA/PAA-hBN@PDA adsorbents, providing an efficient and eco-friendly approach to removing cationic dyes and heavy metals from contaminated water, and thereby contributing to a cleaner and safer environment for all.

A Review of Current Achievements and Recent Challenges in Bacterial Medium-Chain-Length Polyhydroxyalkanoates: Production and Potential Applications.

Using petroleum-derived plastics has contributed significantly to environmental issues, such as greenhouse gas emissions and the accumulation of plastic waste in ecosystems. Researchers have focused on developing ecofriendly polymers as alternatives to traditional plastics to address these concerns. This review provides a comprehensive overview of medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoates (mcl-PHAs), biodegradable biopolymers produced by microorganisms that show promise in replacing conventional plastics. The review discusses the classification, properties, and potential substrates of less studied mcl-PHAs, highlighting their greater ductility and flexibility compared to poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), a well-known but brittle PHA. The authors summarize existing research to emphasize the potential applications of mcl-PHAs in biomedicine, packaging, biocomposites, water treatment, and energy. Future research should focus on improving production techniques, ensuring economic viability, and addressing challenges associated with industrial implementation. Investigating the biodegradability, stability, mechanical properties, durability, and cost-effectiveness of mcl-PHA-based products compared to petroleum-based counterparts is crucial. The future of mcl-PHAs looks promising, with continued research expected to optimize production techniques, enhance material properties, and expand applications. Interdisciplinary collaborations among microbiologists, engineers, chemists, and materials scientists will drive progress in this field. In conclusion, this review serves as a valuable resource to understand mcl-PHAs as sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics. However, further research is needed to optimize production methods, evaluate long-term ecological impacts, and assess the feasibility and viability in various industries.