Sequestration of Pb(II) using channel-like porous spheres of carboxylated graphene oxide-incorporated cellulose acetate@iminodiacetic acid: optimization and mechanism study.

The adsorption property of the costless green cellulose acetate (CA) was boosted by the dual modifications: inner modification by incorporating carboxylated graphene oxide (COOH-GO) into the CA spheres and outer modification by the surface modification of the COOH-GO@CA spheres by iminodiacetic acid (IDA) for removing Pb(II). The adsorption experiments of the Pb(II) proceeded in a batch mode to evaluate the adsorption property of the COOH-GO@CA@IDA spheres. The maximal Pb(II) adsorption capacity attained 613.30 mg/g within 90 min at pH = 5. The removal of Pb(II) reached its equilibrium within 20 min, and the removal % was almost 100% after 30 min at the low Pb(II) concentration. The Pb(II) adsorption mechanism was proposed according to the kinetics and isotherms studies; in addition, the zeta potential (ZP) measurements and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis defined the adsorption pathways. By comparing the XPS spectra of the authentic and used COOH-GO@CA@IDA, it was deduced that the contributed chemical adsorption pathways are Lewis acid-base, precipitation, and complexation. The zeta potential (ZP) measurements demonstrated the electrostatic interaction participation in adsorbing the cationic Pb(II) species onto the negatively charged spheres (ZP = 14.2 mV at pH = 5). The unique channel-like pores of the COOH-GO@CA@IDA spheres suggested the pore-filling mechanism of Pb(II). The promising adsorption results and the superb recyclability character of COOH-GO@CA@IDA enable it to extend of the bench scale to the industrial scale.

Cellulose acetate nanofiber modified with polydopamine polymerized MOFs for efficient removal of noxious organic dyes.

The need to effectively remove toxic organic dyes from aquatic systems has become an increasingly critical issue in the recent years. In pursuit of this objective, polydopamine (PDA)-binary ZIF-8/UiO-66 (MOFs) was synthesized and incorporated into cellulose acetate (CA), producing ZIF-8/UiO-66/PDA@CA composite nanofibers under meticulously optimized conditions. The potential of fabricated nanofibers to remove cationic methylene blue (MB) dye was investigated. Various analysis tools including FTIR, XRD, SEM, zeta potential, BET, tensile strength testing, and XPS were employed. Results revealed a substantial leap in tensile strength, with ZIF-8/UiO-66/PDA@CA registering an impressive 2.8 MPa, as a marked improvement over the neat CA nanofibers (1.1 MPa). ZIF-8/UiO-66/PDA@CA nanofibers exhibit an outstanding adsorption capacity of 82 mg/g, notably outperforming the 22.4 mg/g capacity of neat CA nanofibers. In binary dye systems, these nanofibers exhibit a striking maximum adsorption capacity of 108 mg/g, establishing their eminence in addressing the complexities of wastewater treatment. Furthermore, the adsorption data fitted to the Langmuir isotherm, and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The fabricated nanofiber demonstrates good reproducibility and durability, consistently upholding its performance over five cycles. This suite of remarkable attributes collectively underscores its potential as a robust, durable, and highly promising solution for the effective and efficient removal of pernicious MB dye, in the context of both water quality improvement and environmental preservation.

Novel sulfonamide derivatives as multitarget antidiabetic agents: design, synthesis, and biological evaluation.

A series of new sulfonamide derivatives connected through an imine linker to five or seven membered heterocycles were designed and synthesized. All synthesized derivatives were characterized using a variety of spectroscopic methods, including IR, 1HNMR, and 13CNMR. In vitro α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition activities, as well as glucose uptake were assessed for each of the synthesized compounds. Four sulfonamide derivatives namely 3a, 3b, 3h and 6 showed excellent inhibitory potential against α-glucosidase with IC50 values of 19.39, 25.12, 25.57 and 22.02 µM, respectively. They were 1.05- to 1.39-fold more potent than acarbose. Sulfonamide derivatives 3g, 3i and 7 (EC50 values of 1.29, 21.38 and 19.03 µM, respectively) exhibited significant glucose uptake activity that were 1.62- to 27-fold more potent than berberine. Both α-glucosidase protein (PDB: 2QMJ) and α-amylase (PDB: 1XCW) complexed with acarbose were adopted for docking investigations for the most active synthesized compounds. The docked compounds were able to inhabit the same space as the acarviosin ring of acarbose. The docking of the most active compounds showed an analogous binding with the active site of α-glucosidase as acarbose. The superior activity of the synthesized compounds against α-glucosidase enzyme than α-amylase enzyme can be rationalized by the weak interaction with the α-amylase. The physiochemical parameters of all synthesized compounds were aligned with Lipinski's rule of five.

The Toxicity of Mercury and Its Chemical Compounds: Molecular Mechanisms and Environmental and Human Health Implications: A Comprehensive Review.

Mercury is a type of hazardous and toxic pollutant that can result in detrimental effects on the environment and human health. This review is aimed at discussing the state-of-the-art progress on the recent developments on the toxicity of mercury and its chemical compounds. More than 210 recent works of literature are covered in this review. It first delineates the types (covering elemental mercury, inorganic mercury compounds, organic mercury compounds), structures, and sources of mercury. It then discusses the pharmacokinetic profile of mercury, molecular mechanisms of mercury toxicity, and clinical manifestation of acute and chronic mercury toxicity to public health. It also elucidates the mercury toxicity to the environment and human health in detail, covering ecotoxicity, neurotoxicity diseases, neurological diseases, genotoxicity and gene regulation, immunogenicity, pregnancy and reproductive system damage, cancer promotion, cardiotoxicity, pulmonary diseases, and renal disease. In order to mitigate the adverse effects of mercury, strategies to overcome mercury toxicity are recommended. Finally, some future perspectives are provided in order to advance this field of research in the future.

Graphene oxide@Fe3O4-decorated iota-carrageenan composite for ultra-fast and highly efficient adsorption of lead (II) from water.

The aggravated problem of lead pollution, especially in aquatic environments, necessitates the development of eminent adsorbents that could radically solve this environmental problem. Hence, a new composite was constructed based on iota carrageenan (i.Carr), graphene oxide (GO) and magnetite (Fe3O4) for removing noxious Pb2+ ions. The GO@Fe3O4-i.Carr composite was characterized by VSM, SEM, XPS, XRD, FTIR and Zeta potential. The removal of Pb2+ ions attained a quick equilibrium of almost 30 min with a removal efficiency reaching 93.68 %. The removal of Pb2+ was boosted significantly, in the order of GO@Fe3O4-i.Carr(1:1) > GO@Fe3O4-i.Carr(1:3) > GO@Fe3O4-i.Carr(3:1). Moreover, acquired experimental data fitted the pseudo 2nd order kinetic model and Freundlich isotherm model with a maximal monolayer adsorption capacity reached 440.05 mg/g. Notably, after five adsorption runs, the composite maintained its removal efficiency exceeding 74 %. The assumed adsorption mechanisms of Pb2+ onto GO@Fe3O4-i.Carr were complexation, precipitation, Lewis acid-base, and electrostatic attraction forces. Overall, the GO@Fe3O4-i.Carr composite elucidated the auspicious adsorbent criteria, comprising fast adsorption with high performance, ease-separation and tolerable recyclability, advising its feasible use to decontaminate water bodies from hazardous heavy metals.

Microplastic sources, formation, toxicity and remediation: a review.

Microplastic pollution is becoming a major issue for human health due to the recent discovery of microplastics in most ecosystems. Here, we review the sources, formation, occurrence, toxicity and remediation methods of microplastics. We distinguish ocean-based and land-based sources of microplastics. Microplastics have been found in biological samples such as faeces, sputum, saliva, blood and placenta. Cancer, intestinal, pulmonary, cardiovascular, infectious and inflammatory diseases are induced or mediated by microplastics. Microplastic exposure during pregnancy and maternal period is also discussed. Remediation methods include coagulation, membrane bioreactors, sand filtration, adsorption, photocatalytic degradation, electrocoagulation and magnetic separation. Control strategies comprise reducing plastic usage, behavioural change, and using biodegradable plastics. Global plastic production has risen dramatically over the past 70 years to reach 359 million tonnes. China is the world's top producer, contributing 17.5% to global production, while Turkey generates the most plastic waste in the Mediterranean region, at 144 tonnes per day. Microplastics comprise 75% of marine waste, with land-based sources responsible for 80-90% of pollution, while ocean-based sources account for only 10-20%. Microplastics induce toxic effects on humans and animals, such as cytotoxicity, immune response, oxidative stress, barrier attributes, and genotoxicity, even at minimal dosages of 10 µg/mL. Ingestion of microplastics by marine animals results in alterations in gastrointestinal tract physiology, immune system depression, oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, differential gene expression, and growth inhibition. Furthermore, bioaccumulation of microplastics in the tissues of aquatic organisms can have adverse effects on the aquatic ecosystem, with potential transmission of microplastics to humans and birds. Changing individual behaviours and governmental actions, such as implementing bans, taxes, or pricing on plastic carrier bags, has significantly reduced plastic consumption to 8-85% in various countries worldwide. The microplastic minimisation approach follows an upside-down pyramid, starting with prevention, followed by reducing, reusing, recycling, recovering, and ending with disposal as the least preferable option.

Easy separable, floatable, and recyclable magnetic-biochar/alginate bead as super-adsorbent for adsorbing copper ions in water media.

This work aimed to develop innovative material by combining properties of magnetic-biochar (derived from peanut shells) and hydrogel bead (MBA-bead) and apply it for adsorbing Cu2+ in water. MBA-bead was synthesized by physical cross-linking methods. Results indicated that MBA-bead contained ∼90% water. The diameter of each spherical MBA-bead was approximately 3 mm (wet form) and 2 mm in (dried form). Its specific surface area (262.4 m2/g) and total pore volume (0.751 cm3/g) were obtained from nitrogen adsorption at 77 K. X-ray diffraction data confirmed Fe3O4 presented in magnetic-biochar and MBA-bead. Its Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity for Cu2+ was 234.1 mg/g (30 °C and pHeq 5.0). The change in standard enthalpy (ΔH°) of the adsorption was 44.30 kJ/mol (dominant physical adsorption). Primary adsorption mechanisms were complexation, ion exchange, and Van der Waals force. Laden MBA-bead can be reused several cycles after desorbing with NaOH or HCl. The cost was estimated for producing PS-biochar (0.091 US$/kg), magnetic-biochar (0.303-0.892 US$/kg), and MBA-bead (1.369-3.865 US$/kg). MBA-bead can serve as an excellent adsorbent for removing Cu2+ ions from water.

Magnetic hierarchical flower-like Fe3O4@ZIF-67/CuNiMn-LDH catalyst with enhanced redox cycle for Fenton-like degradation of Congo red: optimization and mechanism.

A novel flower-like CuNiMn-LDH was synthesized and modified, to obtain a promising Fenton-like catalyst, Fe3O4@ZIF-67/CuNiMn-LDH, with a remarkable degradation of Congo red (CR) utilizing H2O2 oxidant. The structural and morphological characteristics of Fe3O4@ZIF-67/CuNiMn-LDH were analyzed via FTIR, XRD, XPS, SEM-EDX, and SEM spectroscopy. In addition, the magnetic property and the surface's charge were defined via VSM and ZP analysis, respectively. Fenton-like experiments were implemented to investigate the aptness conditions for the Fenton-like degradation of CR; pH medium, catalyst dosage, H2O2 concentration, temperature, and the initial concentration of CR. The catalyst exhibited supreme degradation performance for CR to reach 90.9% within 30 min at pH 5 and 25 °C. Moreover, the Fe3O4@ZIF-67/CuNiMn-LDH/H2O2 system revealed considerable activity when tested for different dyes since the degradation efficiencies of CV, MG, MB, MR, MO, and CR were 65.86, 70.76, 72.56, 75.54, 85.99, and 90.9%, respectively. Furthermore, the kinetic study elucidated that the CR degradation by the Fe3O4@ZIF-67/CuNiMn-LDH/H2O2 system obeyed pseudo-first-order kinetic model. More importantly, the concrete results deduced the synergistic effect between the catalyst components, producing a continuous redox cycle consisting of five active metal species. Eventually, the quenching test and the mechanism study proposed the predominance of the radical mechanism pathway on the Fenton-like degradation of CR by the Fe3O4@ZIF-67/CuNiMn-LDH/H2O2 system.

Construction of efficient Ni-FeLDH@MWCNT@Cellulose acetate floatable microbeads for Cr(VI) removal: Performance and mechanism.

Water pollution is an aggravating dilemma that is extending around the world, threatening human survival. Strikingly, the notorious heavy metals like hexavalent chromium ions (Cr6+) cause environmental problems raising awareness of the essentials for finding feasible solutions. For this purpose, the self-floating Ni-FeLDH@MWCNT@CA microbeads were prepared for removing Cr6+. The morphological, thermal, and composition characteristics of Ni-FeLDH@MWCNT@CA microbeads were analyzed using XRD, FTIR, TGA, SEM, XPS, and zeta potential. Notably, the adsorption aptitude of Cr6+ was enhanced by raising the MWCNTs proportion to 5 wt% in microbeads. The Cr6+ adsorption onto Ni-FeLDH@MWCNT@CA fitted Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models with qm of 384.62 mg/g at pH 3 and 298 K. The adsorption process was described kinetically by the pseudo-2nd order model. More importantly, the adsorption of Cr6+ onto Ni-FeLDH@MWCNT@CA occurred via electrostatic interactions, inner/outer sphere complexations, ion exchange, and reduction mechanisms. Besides, the cycling test showed the remarkable reusability of Ni-FeLDH@MWCNT@CA floatable microbeads for five subsequent cycles. The self-floating Ni-FeLDH@MWCNT@CA microbeads in this work provide essential support for the potential applications for the remediation of heavy metals-containing wastewater.

Adsorption of nitrophenol onto a novel Fe3O4-κ-carrageenan/MIL-125(Ti) composite: process optimization, isotherms, kinetics, and mechanism.

Water pollution is a dreadful affair that has incessantly aggravated, exposing our planet to danger. In particular, the persistent nitro aromatic compound like nitrophenols causes anxiety to the researchers due to their hazardous impacts, excessive usage, and removal difficulty. For this purpose, a novel multi-featured composite was constructed based on κ-Carrageenan (κ-Carr), MOF (MIL-125(Ti)), and magnetic Fe3O4 for efficient adsorptive removal of o-nitrophenol (o-NP). Interestingly, BET measurements revealed the high surface area of Fe3O4-κ-Carr/MIL-125(Ti) of about 163.27 m2/g, while VSM showed its excellent magnetic property (20.34 emu/g). The comparison study pointed out the synergistic effect between Fe3O4, κ-Carr, and MIL-125(Ti), forming a composite with an excellent adsorption performance toward o-NP. The adsorption data obeyed pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and Freundlich isotherm model was better fitted than Langmuir and Temkin. Furthermore, Langmuir verified the supreme adsorption capacity of o-NP onto Fe3O4-κ-Carr/MIL-125(Ti) since the computed qmax reached 320.26 mg/g at pH 6 and 25 °C. Furthermore, the XPS results postulated that the adsorption mechanism pf o-NP proceeded via H-bonding, π-π interaction, and electron donor-acceptor interactions. Interestingly, Fe3O4-κ-Carr/MIL-125(Ti) composite retained good adsorption characteristics after reusing for five cycles, suggesting its viable applicability as an efficient, renewable, and easy-separable adsorbent for removing nitro aromatic pollutants.

Synthesis and potential applications of cyclodextrin-based metal-organic frameworks: a review.

Metal-organic frameworks are porous polymeric materials formed by linking metal ions with organic bridging ligands. Metal-organic frameworks are used as sensors, catalysts for organic transformations, biomass conversion, photovoltaics, electrochemical applications, gas storage and separation, and photocatalysis. Nonetheless, many actual metal-organic frameworks present limitations such as toxicity of preparation reagents and components, which make frameworks unusable for food and pharmaceutical applications. Here, we review the structure, synthesis and properties of cyclodextrin-based metal-organic frameworks that could be used in bioapplications. Synthetic methods include vapor diffusion, microwave-assisted, hydro/solvothermal, and ultrasound techniques. The vapor diffusion method can produce cyclodextrin-based metal-organic framework crystals with particle sizes ranging from 200 nm to 400 µm. Applications comprise food packaging, drug delivery, sensors, adsorbents, gas separation, and membranes. Cyclodextrin-based metal-organic frameworks showed loading efficacy of the bioactive compounds ranging from 3.29 to 97.80%.

Enhanced Redox Cycle of Rod-Shaped MIL-88A/SnFe2O4@MXene Sheets for Fenton-like Degradation of Congo Red: Optimization and Mechanism.

This study intended to fabricate a novel Fenton-like catalyst by supporting the rod-like MIL-88A and the magnetic tin ferrite nanoparticles (SnFe2O4) on the MXene sheets (MIL-88A/SnFe2O4@MXene). The well fabrication and determination of the MIL-88A/SnFe2O4@MXene properties were investigated using SEM, XPS, VSM, Zeta potential, XRD, and FTIR tools. The Fenton-like degradation reaction of CR by MIL-88A/SnFe2O4@MXene was thoroughly studied to identify the optimal proportions of the catalyst components, the impact of CR and H2O2 concentrations, as well as the effect of raising the temperature and the pH medium of the catalytic system and the catalyst dosage. Kinetics studies were executed to analyze the decomposition of CR and H2O2 using First-order and Second-order models. Furthermore, the degradation mechanism was proposed based on the scavenging test that proceeded in the presence of chloroform and t-butanol, in addition to the XPS analysis that clarified the participation of the containing metal species: Fe, Sn, and Ti, and the formation of a continual redox cycle. The obtained intermediates during the CR degradation were defined by GC-MS. A recyclability test was performed on MIL-88A/SnFe2O4@MXene during five runs of the Fenton-like degradation of CR molecules. Finally, the novel MIL-88A/SnFe2O4@MXene Fenton-like catalyst could be recommended as a propitious heterogeneous catalyst with a continuous redox cycle and a recyclability merit.

Efficient removal of noxious methylene blue and crystal violet dyes at neutral conditions by reusable montmorillonite/NiFe2O4@amine-functionalized chitosan composite.

The jeopardy of the synthetic dyes effluents on human health and the environment has swiftly aggravated, threatening human survival. Hence, sustained studies have figured out the most acceptable way to eliminate this poisonous contaminant. Thereby, our investigation aimed to fabricate montmorillonite/magnetic NiFe2O4@amine-functionalized chitosan (MMT-mAmCs) composite as a promising green adsorbent to remove the cationic methylene blue (MB) and crystal violet (CV) dyes from the wastewater in neutral conditions. Interestingly, MMT-mAmCs composite carries high negative charges at a wide pH range from 4 to 11 as clarified from zeta potential measurements, asserting its suitability to adsorb the cationic contaminants. In addition, the experimental study confirmed that the optimum pH to adsorb both MB and CV was pH 7, inferring the ability of MMT-mAmCs to adsorb both cationic dyes in simple process conditions. Furthermore, the ferromagnetic behavior of the MMT-mAmCs composite is additional merit to our adsorbent that provides facile, fast, and flawless separation. Notably, the as-fabricated composite revealed an auspicious adsorbability towards the adsorptive removal of MB and CV, since the maximum adsorption capacity of MB and CV were 137 and 118 mg/g, respectively. Moreover, the isotherm and kinetic investigatins depicted that the adsorption of both cationic dyes fitted Langmuir and Pseudo 2nd order models, respectively. Besides, the advanced adsorbent preserved satisfactory adsorption characteristics with maximal removal efficacy exceeding 87% after reuse for ten consecutive cycles. More importantly, MMT-mAmCs efficiently adsorbed MB and CV from real agricultural water, Nile river water and wastewater samples at the neutral pH medium, reflecting its potentiality to be a superb reusable candidate for adsorptive removal cationic pollutants from their aquatic media.

Synthesis of a new magnetic Sulfacetamide-Ethylacetoacetate hydrazone-chitosan Schiff-base for Cr(VI) removal.

In this study, a novel magnetic organic-inorganic composite was fabricated. Chitosan, sulfacetamide and ethylacetoacetae were used to prepare a new Sulfacetamide-Ethylacetoacetate hydrazone-chitosan Schiff-base (SEH-CSB) with a variety of active sites that capable of forming coordinate covalent bonds with Cr(VI). This was followed by modification of the formed SHE-CSB with NiFe2O4 to obtain the magnetic Chitosan-Schiff-base composite (NiFe2O4@SEH-CSB). NiFe2O4@SEH-CSB was characterized using FTIR, zeta potential, SEM, VSM and XPS. Results clarified that SHE played a crucial role in the removal of Cr(VI). The removal of Cr(VI) on NiFe2O4@SEH-CSB was found to be more fitted to pseudo-second order kinetics model and Freundlich isotherm. Besides, the maximum adsorption capacity of NiFe2O4@SEH-CSB towards Cr(VI) was found to be 373.61 mg/g. The plausible mechanism for the removal of Cr(VI) by NiFe2O4@SEH-CSB composite suggested the domination of coulombic interaction, outer-sphere complexation, ion-exchange, surface complexation and coordinate-covalent bond pathways. The magnetic property enabled easy recycling of NiFe2O4@SEH-CSB composite for seven sequential cycles.

Preparation of Lambda-Cyhalothrin-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles and Their Bioactivity against Drosophila suzukii.

The encapsulation of pesticides within nanoparticles is a promising approach of advanced technology in sustainable agriculture. Lambda-cyhalothrin (LC) was encapsulated by the ionotropic gelation technique into chitosan (CS)/tripolyphosphate (TPP) and CS/alginate (ALG) matrixes. CS-LC nanoparticles were characterized, and their efficacy was then evaluated against the key pest of soft fruits in Europe and the United States, Drosophila suzukii. The encapsulation efficiency (74%), nanoparticle yield (80%), polydispersity index (0.341), zeta potential (-23.1 mV) and particle size (278 nm) were determined at the optimum conditions. FTIR confirmed the cross-linkage between CS and TPP/ALG in the nanoparticles. The optimum formula recommended by the fractional factorial design was associated with the formulation variables of CS of high or low molecular weight, cross-linking agent (TPP), LC concentration (1.5% w/v) and stirring rate (1500 rpm), showing the highest desirability value (0.5511). CS-LC nanoparticles of the lowest particle size (278 nm) exhibited the highest percent mortality of D. suzukii males (86%) and females (84%), exceeding that caused by the commercial product (Karate-zeon® 10% CS) at 2 HAT. This is the first work to use the ionic gelation technique to make LC nanoparticles, to the best of our knowledge. The encapsulation of chemical pesticides within biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles could be helpful for establishing a sustainable IPM strategy with benefits for human and environmental health and the lifetime of pesticides.

Sulfonated graphene oxide impregnated cellulose acetate floated beads for adsorption of methylene blue dye: optimization using response surface methodology.

New multi-featured adsorbent beads were fabricated through impregnation of sulfonated graphene (SGO) oxide into cellulose acetate (CA) beads for fast adsorption of cationic methylene blue (MB) dye. The formulated SGO@CA composite beads were thoroughly characterized by several tools including FTIR, TGA, SEM, XRD, XPS and zeta potential. The optimal levels of the most significant identified variables affecting the adsorption process were sequential determined by the response surface methodology (RSM) using Plackett-Burman and Box-Behnken designs. The gained results denoted that the surface of SGO@CA beads displayed the higher negative charges (- 42.2 mV) compared to - 35.7 and - 38.7 mV for pristine CA and SGO, respectively. In addition, the floated SGO@CA beads demonstrated excellent floating property, fast adsorption and easy separation. The adsorption performance was accomplished rapidly, since the adsorption equilibrium was closely gotten within 30 min. Furthermore, the adsorption capacity was greatly improved with increasing SGO content from 10 to 30%. The obtained data were followed the pseudo-second order kinetic model and agreed with Langmuir adsorption isotherm model with a maximum adsorption capacity reached 234.74 mg g-1. The thermodynamic studies designated the spontaneity and endothermic nature of MB dye adsorption. Besides, the floated beads exposed acceptable adsorption characteristics for six successive reuse cycles, in addition to their better adsorption selectivity towards MB dye compared to cationic crystal violet and anionic Congo red dyes. These findings assume that the formulated SGO@CA floated beads could be used effectively as highly efficient, easy separable and reusable adsorbents for the fast removal of toxic cationic dyes.

Green synthesis of bimetallic Ag/ZnO@Biohar nanocomposite for photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline, antibacterial and antioxidant activities.

In this work, a simple and green synthesis procedure for phytofabrication Zinc oxide-silver supported biochar nanocomposite (Ag/ZnO@BC) via Persicaria salicifolia biomass is investigated for the first time to uphold numerous green chemistry such as less hazardous chemical syntheses. XRD technique showed the crystal structure of the phytosynthesized Ag/ZnO@BC, whereas UV-visible spectroscopy, FT-IR, SEM, EDX, TEM, and XPS analyses indicated the successful biosynthesis of the nanocomposite. Testing the photocatalytic potential of this novel nanocomposite in the removal of TC under different conditions unraveled its powerful photodegradation efficiency that reached 70.3% under the optimum reaction conditions: TC concentration; 50 ppm, pH; 6, a dose of Ag/ZnO@BC; 0.01 g, temperature; 25 °C, and H2O2 concentration; 100 mM. The reusability of Ag/ZnO@BC was evident as it reached 53% after six cycles of regeneration. Ag/ZnO@BC was also shown to be a potent antimicrobial agent against Klebsiella pneumonia as well as a promising antioxidant material. Therefore, the current work presented a novel nanocomposite that could be efficiently employed in various environmental and medical applications.

Phytofabrication of bimetallic silver-copper/biochar nanocomposite for environmental and medical applications.

In the current study, a novel, green, low-cost, and sustainable path for the phyto-fabrication of Ag-Cu biochar nanocomposite (Ag-Cu/biochar) by Atriplex halimus biomass and aqueous extract is described. Surface plasmon resonance peaks were detected at 450 nm and 580 nm signifying the formation of both silver and copper nanoparticles, respectively on the biochar surface. XRD analysis confirmed the crystal structure of the phytosynthesized Ag-Cu/biochar whereas FT-IR, SEM, EDX, and XPS analyses confirmed the successful phytofabrication of the composite. Ag and Cu nanoparticles loaded on the biochar surface were almost spherically-shaped with a particle size ranging from 25 nm to 45 nm. Zeta potential of -25.5 mV showed the stability of Ag-Cu/biochar. The potential of this novel nanocomposite in the removal of doxycycline (DOX) was evident under different conditions as it reached nearly 100% under the optimum reaction conditions (DOX concentration; 50 ppm, pH; 9, a dose of Ag-Cu/biochar; 0.01 g, temperature; 25 °C, and H2O2 concentration; 100 mM). The promising regeneration of Ag-Cu/biochar was evident as the removal efficiency was 81% after 6 consecutive cycles. Ag-Cu/biochar was also shown an excellent antimicrobial activity against gram-negative bacteria as well a promising antioxidant activity.

Novel reusable amine-functionalized cellulose acetate beads impregnated aminated graphene oxide for adsorptive removal of hexavalent chromium ions.

In this study, a multi-featured adsorbent was developed for the adsorptive removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) ions. Herein, aminated graphene oxide (GO-NH2) was firstly synthetized and incorporated into cellulose acetate beads (CA) which were followed by surface amine-functionalization process. Varies characterization tools such as FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM, TGA, XRD, BET, XPS and zeta potential were employed to ensure the successful fabrication of GO-NH2@CA-NH2 composite beads. An enhancement in the adsorption performance was attained, while the adsorption equilibrium was closely gotten within only 60 min. Therefore, the adsorption capacity was boosted with increasing GO-NH2 ratio in the beads matrix from 10 to 25%. Furthermore, the adsorption process agreed with Freundlich isotherm model with a supreme adsorption capacity of 410.21 mg/g at pH 2, while data followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Besides, thermodynamic studies denoted that the adsorption process was endothermic, randomness and spontaneous. The composite beads retained better adsorption characteristics for seven sequential cycles with ease of separation. The proposed adsorption of Cr6+ onto GO-NH2@CA-NH2 surface occurred via the electrostatic interactions, reduction process and coordinate-covalent bonds. These findings hypothesize that the fabricated GO-NH2@CA-NH2 beads could be act as easy-separable and reusable adsorbent for efficient adsorption of Cr6+ ions.