Boosting the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4 via loading bio-synthesized Ag0 nanoparticles and imidazole modification for the degradation and mineralization of fluconazole.

The emergence of fluorinated organic compounds in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and textile industries has led to a potential increase in the environmental issues and health problems. Herein, a modified heterojunction of bio-synthesized Ag nanoparticles (Ag0 NPs) immobilized on imidazole-modified graphite carbon nitride (Im/g-C3N4) as a suitable support (Ag0/Im/g-C3N4) was hydrothermally synthesized and studied for the photocatalytic removal of the most widely used antifungal organo-fluorine compound-fluconazole (FCZ). The optical properties were thoroughly investigated in the present study, and it was observed that the proposed modification to g-C3N4 has led to the shifting of conduction and valance band edge position (for g-C3N4, -0.73 and 1.54 eV and for ICA, -1.14 and 1.28 eV), narrowing of band gap energies, i.e., 2.01 eV, and reduced charge recombination rate. The external and internal surface morphologies were scrutinized through FE-SEM and HR-TEM analyses. Functionalities and potential crystallinity were investigated using FTIR and XRD techniques. The elemental state and composition of the composite were analyzed via XPS. The obtained results substantiate the intended modifications in the ICA composite. The photocatalyst Ag0/Im/g-C3N4 (ICA) was able to degrade 95.74% of FCZ with a high degradation rate (k1) of 0.0289 min-1 within 2-h of the solar illumination experiment. The overall degradation process was observed to be governed by a pseudo-first-order kinetic model. Detailed parameters such as effects of ions, pH (optimized pH 4, highest degradation rate k1 =0.039 min-1), dissolved organic matter (DOM), and optimization of catalysts dosage were studied. The major reactive oxygen species (ROS) was identified as super-oxide radicals (O2●-). The HR-MS and COD-TOC analysis were used to evaluate the degradation and mineralization of FCZ forced by ICA catalysts. The ICA catalyst was found to be stable and reusable for up to five cycles suggesting towards its potential towards the mitigation of environmental pollutants.

Plastic waste management for sustainable environment: techniques and approaches.

Excessive exploitation, negligence, non-degradable nature, and physical and chemical properties of plastic waste have resulted in a massive pollution load into the environment. Consequently, plastic entres the food chain and can cause serious health issues in aquatic animals and humans. The present review summarizes currently reported techniques and approaches for the removal of plastic waste. Many techniques, such as adsorption, coagulation, photocatalysis, and microbial degradation, and approaches like reduction, reuse and recycling are potentially in trend and differ from each other in their efficiency and interaction mechanism. Moreover, substantial advantages and challenges associated with these techniques and approaches are highlighted to develop an understanding of the selection of possible ways for a sustainable future. Nevertheless, in addition to the reduction of plastic waste from the ecosystem, many alternative opportunities have also been explored to cash plastic waste. These fields include the synthesis of adsorbents for the removal of pollutants from aqueous and gaseous stream, their utility in clothing, waste to energy and fuel and in construction (road making). Substantial evidence can be observed in the reduction of plastic pollution from various ecosystems. In addition, it is important to develop an understanding of factors that need to be emphasized while considering alternative approaches and opportunities to cash plastic waste (like adsorbent, clothing, waste to energy and fuel). The thrust of this review is to provide readers with a comprehensive overview of the development status of techniques and approaches to overcome the global issue of plastic pollution and the outlook on the exploitation of this waste as resources.

Investigating the Role of Tourists and Impact of Knowledge, Behaviour, and Attitude Towards Plastic Waste Generation.

Tourism is one of the lifelines in nations for their strong economy. Through the expansion of tourism industry, enormous amounts of plastic materials are disposed that have detrimental effects on environment, animal and human health. The present study demonstrates the role of tourists on generation of plastic waste and further statistical approach was used to investigate the impact of knowledge, behaviour, and attitude of tourists towards generation of plastic waste. Result shows that the tourists play key role in generating plastic waste at outdoor places which is a serious issue that could block drainage ways in city which leads to many waters born disease. The study highlights that the awareness can make certain changes in plastic waste generation and can bridge the knowledge-practice gap. Moreover, the circular economy can offer opportunity to exploit plastic waste into various decorative and useful products that can generate income to local community and help to reduce plastic wastes. It is also important to highlight that the government needs to take care of surveillance in the market on using plastic bags either by sellers or consumers.