Origanum vulgare manganese ferrite nanocomposite: An advanced multifunctional hybrid material for dye remediation.

The purpose of the study was to fabricate sustainable and cost-effective material for the thorough cleansing of polluted water. In this context, an economical, phytogenic and multifunctional Origanum vulgare plant-based nanocomposite material, MnFe2O4/OV, was prepared via one-pot synthetic technique. The synthesized nanocomposite with a band gap of 2.02 eV behaved as an efficient nano-photocatalyst for the degradation of both cationic (crystal violet) and anionic (congo red) dyes under direct sunlight irradiation. The material also inhibited the growth of E. coli and S. aureus bacteria and simultaneously adsorbed both cationic and anionic dyes from water through adsorption. A variety of techniques have been used to characterize the nanocomposite, including X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Additionally, the kinetics of photodegradation of the aforementioned organic dyes has also been investigated. The MnFe2O4/OV exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance, leading to 43% and 72% degradation within 3 h at rate constants of 2.0 × 10-3 min-1 and 6.0 × 10-3 min-1 for crystal violet and congo red, respectively. The crystal violet and congo red were used to testify to the composite's potential for adsorption under the influence of several process variables, including initial solution pH, contact time, temperature, initial dye concentration, and amount of MnFe2O4/OV. The Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity Qmax as in the range 14.06-14.59 mgg-1 for crystal violet and 34.45-23.93 mgg-1 for congo red at pH 7 within 90 min contact time in the temperature range of 30-50 °C. The phenomenon of adsorption was found feasible and endothermic at all the investigated temperatures. Also, E. coli and S. Aureus bacteria have shown growth suppression activity when exposed to MnFe2O4/OV.As a result, the synthesized nanocomposite, MnFe2O4/OV, proved to be an antimicrobial, multifunctional novel nanocomposite, which is in high demand, and could serve as an affordable, and sustainable material for comprehensive water filtration.

Nigella sativa-Manganese Ferrite-Reduced Graphene Oxide-Based Nanomaterial: A Novel Adsorbent for Water Treatment.

In this study, a novel nanohybrid composite was fabricated via the incorporation of manganese ferrite (MnFe2O4) nanoparticles into the integrated surface of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and black cumin seeds (BC). The nanohybrid composite was prepared by a simple co-precipitation method and characterized by several spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The characterization analysis revealed that the rGO-BC surface was decorated with the MnFe2O4. The strong chemical interaction (via electrostatic and H-bonding) between the integrated surface of rGO-BC and MnFe2O4 nanoparticles has been reported. The prepared composite was highly porous with a heterogeneous surface. The average size of the prepared composite was reported in the ranges of 2.6-7.0 nm. The specific surface area of the prepared composite was calculated to be 50.3 m2/g with a pore volume of 0.061 cc/g and a half pore width of 8.4 Å. As well, many functional sites on the nanohybrid composite surface were also found. This results in the excellent adsorption properties of nanohybrid composite and the effectual elimination of methylene blue dye from water. The nanohybrid was tested for various linear isotherms, such as Langmuir and Freundlich, for the adsorption of methylene blue dye. The Freundlich isotherm was the well-fitted model, proving the adsorption is multilayer. The maximum Langmuir adsorption capacity of nanohybrid composite for methylene blue was reported to be 74.627 mg/g at 27 °C. The adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order recommended surface interaction between the dye and nanohybrid composite. The interaction between methylene blue and the nanohybrid composite was also confirmed from the FTIR spectrum of the methylene blue-loaded adsorbent. The rate-determining step for the present study was intraparticle diffusion. Temperature-dependent studies of methylene blue adsorption were also carried out to estimate adsorption's free energy, enthalpy, and entropy. The methylene blue adsorption was feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic. A comparison study revealed that the present materials could be successfully prepared and used for wastewater treatment.

Recent advances in magnetic composites as adsorbents for wastewater remediation.

The scarcity of clean drinking water combined with other environmental and anthropogenic effects necessitates the demand for development of advanced technology for cleaning polluted water. Adsorption is one such technique that does not produce toxic byproducts and solves the problem of cleaning contaminated water at a lower cost. In recent years, magnetic composites, as adsorbent, have gained lot of attention due to their reusability which makes them sustainable and economical. This review article describes the challenges related to water quality, scarcity and then summarizes the current treatment technologies and advancement in the field of adsorption to resolve the prevailing concerns. The review includes an insight into the recent research being carried out in the field of magnetic composites and nanocomposites, as adsorbent, covering, probably, all aspects of what is going around the globe. Different materials, like polymers, biomaterials, clays and metal organic framework (MOF)-based magnetic composites and their applications in wastewater treatment processes have been included. The article is a comprehensive review on the application of different materials to detoxify various diverse pollutants with prime focus on magnetic composites. The thorough study of this review will surely bring upcoming researchers closer to the future possibilities of research in wastewater treatment.

Nigella sativa seed based nanohybrid composite-Fe2O3-SnO2/BC: A novel material for enhanced adsorptive removal of methylene blue from water.

In this work, an advance approach is reported for the water treatment technology using nanohybrid composite Fe2O3-SnO2/BC prepared by incorporation of iron-tin binary oxide into the cellulosic framework of medicinally active Nigella sativa (Black cumin) seed powder. The co-precipitation method was followed to prepare the nanohybrid composite which was subjected to investigate its physiochemical properties using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the formation of highly functionalized nanocomposite through the hydrogen and electrostatic interactions between the functional groups of seeds and Fe2O3-SnO2. X-ray and selected area electron diffraction pattern revealed the presence of cubic phase of γ-Fe2O3 and tetragonal phase of SnO2 in the composite. The scanning electron microscopic images suggested the porous and relatively smooth surface of the composite, and transmittance electron microscopic images showed the trapping of nano-cubes of Fe2O3-SnO2, having particles size in the range 95-185 nm, into the organic framework of Black cumin seeds, whose zero point charge was found at pH 7.2. The composite was investigated for adsorption of Methylene blue dye from water for which the results revealed that 2.0 gL-1 amount of Fe2O3-SnO2/BC was sufficient to remove more than 95% dye, within 15 min, at 6-9 pH, from its 10 mgL-1 concentration. The thermodynamic studies established spontaneity, feasibility, and endothermic nature of the adsorption process. The adsorption data was satisfactorily described by the Freundlich isotherm which indicated inhomogeneous surface of the composite. Application of Temkin isotherm revealed the same extent of bonding probability and heat of adsorption at 27, 35, and 45 °C. The free energy change calculated from Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm suggested weak interaction between Methylene blue and Fe2O3-SnO2/BC. The process satisfactorily followed the pseudo-second order kinetics that was controlled by the film diffusion step which indicated interaction of Methylene blue with functional sites of the Fe2O3-SnO2/BC. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis gave the confirmatory evidence for interaction of Methylene blue to Fe2O3-SnO2/BC. The maximum Langmuir adsorption capacity of the Fe2O3-SnO2/BC was found to be 58.82 mgg-1 at 27 °C which is higher than the previously reported adsorbents, MnFe2O4/BC [J. Clean. Prod. 2018. 200, 996-1008], and Fe2O3-ZrO2/BC [J. Clean. Prod. 2019. 223, 849-868]. Therefore, the study showed excellent results for water treatment and can be useful to develop advance water treatment technology.

Nigella sativa seed based nanocomposite-MnO2/BC: An antibacterial material for photocatalytic degradation, and adsorptive removal of Methylene blue from water.

Antimicrobial Nigella sativa seed-based nanocomposite, MnO2/BC, was synthesized and utilized for the water purification through adsorption, and the photocatalytic degradation. MnO2/BC was prepared by co-precipitation method, and characterized using FT-IR, XRD, SEM, TEM, TGA, and DSC techniques. The composite was investigated for inhibition of bacterial cells growth. FT-IR spectrum indicated the presence of oxygenous groups on the surface; TGA and DSC showed thermal degradation; and XRD, SEM, and TEM investigations indicated amorphous, and porous nature of MnO2/BC having particle size of 190-220 nm. The nanocomposite inhibited the growth of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria cells in water. The adsorption of Methylene blue from water was investigated in batch method in terms of amount of MnO2/BC, dye concentration, pH, time, and temperature. 1.0 g L-1 of MnO2/BC removed more than 98% of Methylene blue from aqueous solution having concentration of 10 mg L-1 and pH 7.0 at 27 °C. The maximum Langmuir adsorption capacity of MnO2/BC was 185.185 mg g-1 at 45 °C. The adsorption was an endothermic process which obeyed Freundlich isotherm, and pseudo-second order kinetics. Therefore, the Methylene blue binding onto MnO2/BC surface was site-specific partially through the weak hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic interactions. The photocatalytic activity of MnO2/BC has been investigated by degrading the Methylene blue molecules/ions in water under the sunlight and 85% of degradation was achieved during 120 min irradiation. The dye was desorbed at lower pH and regenerated MnO2/BC was used for second cycle of Methylene blue adsorption. The results obtained for this study are much better than the previous Methylene blue adsorption studies with acid washed Black cumin seeds and MnFe2O4/BC for which the capacities were 73.529 mg g-1 and 10.070 mg g-1 at 27 °C, respectively (J. Mol. liq. 2018a, 264, 275-284; J. Clean. Prod. 2018a, 200, 996-1008).

In silico identification of colchicine derivatives as novel and potential inhibitors based on molecular docking and dynamic simulations targeting multifactorial drug targets involved in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by a gradual and steady deterioration in cognitive function over time. At least 50 million people worldwide are considered to have AD or another form of dementia. AD is marked by a gradual decline in cognitive abilities, memory deterioration and neurodegenerative transformations within the brain. The intricate and multifaceted nature of polygenic AD presents significant challenges within the landscape of drug development. The pathophysiology of AD unfolds in a non-linear and dynamic pattern, encompassing various systems and giving rise to a multitude of factors and hypotheses that contribute to the disease's onset. These encompass theories such as the beta-amyloid hypothesis, cholinergic hypothesis, tau hypothesis, oxidative stress and more. In the realm of drug development, polypharmacological drug profiles have emerged as a strategy that can yield combined or synergistic effects, effectively mitigating undesirable side effects and significantly enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of essential medications. With this concept in mind, our in-silico study sought to delve into the binding interactions of a diverse array of colchicine derivative compounds. These derivatives are chosen for their potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-neurodegenerative and neuroprotective properties against Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. We investigated compound interactions with AD-related targets, utilizing comprehensive molecular docking and dynamic simulations. COM111X showed impressive docking with acetylcholinesterase, indicating potential as an anti-Alzheimer's drug. COM112Y displayed strong docking scores with PDE4D and butyrylcholinesterase, suggesting dual inhibition for Alzheimer's treatment. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are warranted to explore these findings.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Facile green synthesis of ZnO-CdWO4 nanoparticles and their potential as adsorbents to remove organic dye.

In this work, ZnO-CdWO4 nanoparticles have been synthesized by the ecofriendly green method with lemon leaf extract to favorably anchor functional groups on their surface. The prepared ZnO-CdWO4 nanoparticles are used as adsorbent to treat Congo red (CR) dye after characterization through FT-IR, UV-Vis, TEM, SEM-EDX, and HRTEM techniques. The equilibrium partition coefficient and adsorption capacity values for CR by ZnO-CdWO4 are estimated as 21.4 mg g-1 µM-1 and 5 mg g-1, respectively (at an initial dye concentration of 10 mg L-1). The adsorption process is found as exothermic and spontaneous, as determined by the ΔG°, ΔS°, and ΔH° values. The Boyd plot has been used as a confirmatory tool to fit the adsorption kinetics data along with intraparticle diffusion and pseudo-second-order models. Based on this research, ZnO-CdWO4 nanoparticles are validated as an effective adsorbent for CR dye in aqueous solutions.

Qualitative analysis of acid washed black cumin seeds for decolorization of water through removal of highly intense dye methylene blue.

Dyes in water change the colour, taste and odour of water, are highly visible, and can be toxic and cancerous for the coloured water consumption human beings. Basic dyes particularly, methylene blue, MB has high colour intensity, shows intense colour even at low concentration, and are very toxic due to their complex structure. Instead of adsorption, removal of MB from water using various traditional treatment methods is costly and less effective. The use of bioadsorbent provides easy and low cost technique for removal of MB. For searching the adequate technique of dye removal, adsorption efficiency and mechanism of bioadsorbent can be analyzed. To this, MB removal efficiency of seeds of medicinal plant, black cumin seeds were analyzed. The data are supplied in the article.

A review on biogenic synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using plant extracts and microbes: A prospect towards green chemistry.

Nanotechnology is emerging as an important area of research with its tremendous applications in all fields of science, engineering, medicine, pharmacy, etc. It involves the materials and their applications having one dimension in the range of 1-100nm. Generally, various techniques are used for syntheses of nanoparticles (NPs) viz. laser ablation, chemical reduction, milling, sputtering, etc. These conventional techniques e.g. chemical reduction method, in which various hazardous chemicals are used for the synthesis of NPs later become liable for innumerable health risks due to their toxicity and endangering serious concerns for environment, while other approaches are expensive, need high energy for the synthesis of NPs. However, biogenic synthesis method to produce NPs is eco-friendly and free of chemical contaminants for biological applications where purity is of concerns. In biological method, different biological entities such as extract, enzymes or proteins of a natural product are used to reduce and stabilised formation of NPs. The nature of these biological entities also influence the structure, shape, size and morphology of synthesized NPs. In this review, biogenic synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs, procedures of syntheses, mechanism of formation and their various applications have been discussed. Various entities such as proteins, enzymes, phytochemicals, etc. available in the natural reductants are responsible for synthesis of ZnO NPs.

Thermodynamic and kinetic studies of As(V) removal from water by zirconium oxide-coated marine sand.

Arsenic contamination of groundwater is a major threat to human beings globally. Among various methods available for arsenic removal, adsorption is fast, inexpensive, selective, accurate, reproducible and eco-friendly in nature. The present paper describes removal of arsenate from water on zirconium oxide-coated sand (novel adsorbent). In the present work, zirconium oxide-coated sand was prepared and characterised by infrared and X-ray diffraction techniques. Batch experiments were performed to optimise different adsorption parameters such as initial arsenate concentration (100-1,000 µg/L), dose (1-8 g/L), pH of the solution (2-14), contact time (15-150 min.), and temperature (20, 30, 35 and 40 °C). The experimental data were analysed by Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm models. Furthermore, thermodynamic and kinetic parameters were evaluated to know the mode of adsorption between ZrOCMS and As(V). The maximum removal of arsenic, 97 %, was achieved at initial arsenic concentration of 200 µg/L, after 75 min at dosage of 5.0 g/L, pH 7.0 and 27 ± 2 °C. For 600 µg/L concentration, the maximum Langmuir monolayer adsorption capacity was found to be 270 µg/g at 35 °C. Kinetic modelling data indicated that adsorption process followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. The mechanism is controlled by liquid film diffusion model. Thermodynamic parameter, ΔH°, was -57.782, while the values of ΔG° were -9.460, -12.183, -13.343 and -13.905 kJ/mol at 20, 30, 35 and 40 °C, respectively, suggesting exothermic and spontaneous nature of the process. The change in entropy, ΔS°= -0.23 kJ/mol indicated that the entropy decreased due to adsorption of arsenate ion onto the solid adsorbent. The results indicated that the reported zirconium oxide-coated marine sand (ZrOCMS) was good adsorbent with 97 % removal capacity at 200 µg/L concentration. It is interesting to note that the permissible limit of arsenic as per World Health Organization is 10 µg/L, and in real situation, this low concentration can be achieved through this adsorbent. Besides, the adsorption capacity showed that this adsorbent may be used for the removal of arsenic from any natural water resource.