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In this investigation, a novel Fe3O4-enhanced biochar derived from winter melon (Fe3O4@WBC) was synthesised by an innovative ethylene glycol reduction and thermal polymerisation approach for efficiently eliminating U(VI) from contaminated environments. The factors influencing uranium(VI) adsorption by Fe3O4@WBC, including pH, adsorbent dosage, time, temperature, and initial U(VI) concentration were explored. The material's performance was characterised, and the underlying mechanism of U(VI) removal was analysed using various techniques. The results demonstrated that Fe3O4@WBC effectively removed U(VI), achieving a maximum adsorption capacity of 199.84 mg g−1 at a pH of 5.0. These findings provided a theoretical basis for the treatment of wastewater contaminated with U(VI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adsorption of Cs(I), Sr(II) and Y(III) from aqueous solutions using silica polystyrene (SPS) impregnated with Aliquat-336 (A-336) and Theonyl triflouroacetone (HTTA) was investigated. The synthesized materials; SPS, A-336@SPS and HTTA@SPS were characterized using FTIR, XRD and SEM. The order of adsorption capacity is Cs(I)>Sr(II)>Y(III). The adsorption capacity (qe) for Cs(I), Sr(II) and Y(III) was found to be 2.3, 0.75 and 0.55 mg/g, respectively. The maximum separation factor of SF(Cs/Sr), SF(Cs/Y) and SF(Sr/Y) was 16.01, 29.32, and 1.83, respectively. The selective adsorption of Cs(I) by A-336@SPS is attributed to the formation of strong complex between nitrogen atom of A-336@SPS and Cs(I). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Based on 4‐([2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridin]‐4′‐yl) benzoic acid ligand (Htpba), a fluorescent lanthanide coordination polymer was successfully synthesized, namely, [Eu (tpba)3]n (1). The single‐crystal diffraction analysis shows that Eu3+ ions in complex 1 are alternately connected with tpba3− ligands to form a one‐dimensional chain structure, which further constitutes a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture through the π···π interactions. Complex 1 demonstrated excellent stability of thermogravimetry; and displayed good fluorescence intensity in aqueous solution with a wide pH range. In this work, complex 1 was used as a fluorescence sensor for the detection of jatrorrhizine molecule (JAT). It was found that complex 1 had high sensitivity with the detection limit of 1.02 × 10−8 M, and simultaneously displayed specific selectivity and reutilization for the exploration of JAT molecule. The static quenching, the absorption competition, the electrostatic interactions, and the photo‐induced electron transfer process are responsible for the recognition mechanism of complex 1 with sensing JAT. It is worth mentioning that a fluorescent film based on complex 1 and a light‐emitting diode device coated with the powder of complex 1 were successfully fabricated, which could rapidly recognize JAT molecule with the naked eye further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanistic understanding of free radical polymerization (FRP) in aqueous solution is hindered by the lack of kinetic coefficient data. Here, we investigated the propagation rate coefficient (kp) for FRP of HEMA in aqueous solution. The kp at 80 °C increased by 6 times as the monomer weight fraction in aqueous system decreases from 100 wt.% to 6 wt.%, that is., from 6.0 × 103 to 3.3 × 104 L·moL−1·s−1. This increase in kp is associated with the increase in pre‐exponential factor (A), which suggests an increase in entropy with increasing water molecules in the polymerization system. To investigate the effect of solvent on kp, pulse‐laser polymerization in solvents of different hydrogen bonding affinity, that is, 50 wt.% butyl propionate (BP) and dimethyl formamide (DMF), are conducted. The kp obtained are in order of kp,bulk∼kp,BP > kp,DMF, suggesting that the intermolecular hydrogen bonding at carbonyl moieties critically affects the geometry of transition state quasi‐equilibrium in propagation. We underpinned this observation by analyzing the carbonyl and alkene moieties of HEMA in different solvents using infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The mechanistic analyses and insights relating to hydrogen bonding and functional moieties can be relevant for future studies involving non‐aqueous solvents promoting hydrogen bonds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The study explored the combination effect between of green tea extract (GTE) and black rice extract (BRE) and the encapsulation process of the co‐extract. A 2:1 (w/w) ratio of GTE to BRE in citric aqueous solution at pH 6 showed the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 = 0.306 mg mL−1) with the strongest incremental effect (combination index = 0.547). It exhibited potent anti‐inflammatory effects, with sirtuin 1 enzyme‐stimulating activity (28.593 of fluorescent intensity) and NF‐κB protein suppression in RAW 264.7 macrophages (57.76% at 100 μg mL−1). Freeze‐dried double emulsion encapsulated powder (CEP) with the highest encapsulation efficiency (73.38%) and total polyphenol content (218.28 mg GAE g−1) was prepared using a lecithin to O phase ratio of 2:25 (w/w) and a chitosan‐carboxymethyl cellulose to W1/O emulsion phase ratio of 1:1 (w/w). Our findings suggest utilising CEP as a compound in functional food by contributing to improved health and well‐being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we developed a sensitive method for monitoring α‐amylase using a fluorogenic approach based on the host‐guest complexation between an amphiphilic pyrenyl derivative (1) and γ‐cyclodextrins (γ‐CDs). The compound 1 self‐assembles into nanofibrils in aqueous solutions. Upon the introduction of γ‐CD, compound 1 forms an inclusion complex with it. This complex then participates in the formation of a 2 : 2 complex with another complex, leading to strong excimer fluorescence. Upon interaction with α‐amylase, γ‐CD undergoes hydrolysis, leading to the regeneration of nanofibrils, which is accompanied by a decrease in excimer fluorescence and an increase in monomeric fluorescence. This ratiometric fluorescence color change enables the sensitive detection of low levels of α‐amylase in human urine, offering a practical approach for early screening of pancreatic‐related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermally activated delay fluorescence (TADF) has great potential for information encryption, temperature detection, and bioimaging due to its long‐lived luminescence, temperature‐sensitive and high signal‐to‐noise ratio. However, it is still a challenge to establish TADF in aqueous environments. In this study, the composite with TADF (M‐FNCDs) is prepared using fluorine‐nitrogen co‐doped carbon dots (FNCDs) and melamine. It is worth mentioning that the M‐FNCDs show stable TADF under long‐wavelength excitation (470 nm) in aqueous environments. Moreover, the M‐FNCDs has distinctive temperature‐responsive properties and exhibit good linear relationships in the temperature range of 77–370 K. Simultaneously, M‐FNCDs suspension as the ink is utilized to realize information encryption/decryption due to their afterglow cannot be quenched in an aqueous solution. More importantly, M‐FNCDs with biocompatibility can target the mitochondria and lysosomes of living cells, and for the first time achieve the high signal‐to‐noise ratio and low background signal afterglow imaging of organelles. This work proposes a new strategy to prepare the stable TADF in aqueous solutions under long‐wavelength excitation and extend the TADF material potential applications in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dyes and their metabolites have noxious and carcinogenicity potential and are known to be hazardous for human beings and other living organisms. The discharge of untreated wastewater comprising wide varieties of synthetic dyes into the water resources is one of the vital environmental problems. Therefore, in this study, the efficacy of the chemical coagulation method was explored using ferric chloride as a coagulant to remove the toxic dye Eosin Yellow (EY) from aqueous solution. The interaction between FeCl3 and EY dye was quick and profound at a solution pH of 2.2, yielding the brownish precipitate with a dye removal efficiency of more than 98%. An extremely high dye removal capacity of 1263 mg/g is reported for 100 mg/L of EY dye concentration at optimum experimental conditions. The possible chemical interaction between FeCl3 and EY dye can be attributed to the formation of polymeric complex, as oxygen atoms of carbonyl, phenolate and carboxylate groups of EY dye molecule interact strongly with Fe3+ ions. The presence of various coexisting anions could reduce the EY dye removal efficiency by 2%–5%; however, the required FeCl3 dose has increased from 64 to 170 mg/L. Thermodynamic studies showed that the interaction of EY dye with FeCl3 was exothermic and spontaneous in nature. The investigation of real industrial wastewater samples has exhibited a 90%–215% increase in the required FeCl3 dose as compared to the control experiment for the initial EY dye concentration from 100 to 750 mg/L. Sludge volume index analysis indicates that FeCl3 generated highly dense sludge with good settling characteristics. X-ray diffraction and field emissionscanning electron microscopy characterisation of the generated sludge indicate the polycrystalline nature with a combination of spherical and irregular shape grains of the sludge. Treatment cost analysis revealed that the cost involved in dye removal is in the range of 0.99–3.60 USD ($)/kg of dye removed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sorption of Sr(II) and/or Rb(I) onto synthesised silico antimonate (SiSb) nanocomposite was investigated in this work, using batch equilibrium and column techniques. SiSb was fabricated by precipitation technique and characterised by various analytical tools. The adsorption of Sr(II) and/or Rb(I) includes the influence of shaking time, distribution coefficient, kinetics, capacity, and column separation. The data prove that SiSb has a quick equilibrium time (40 min), the distribution coefficients (Kd) as a function of pH have maximum separation factors $$(\alpha _{Rb}^{Sr})$$ (α R b S r) equal to 162.1 at pH 6, reaction kinetics follow a pseudo-second-order model, sorption capacity for Sr(II) and Rb(I) is 48.5 and 13.8 mg/g, respectively. Column data reveal that Sr(II) can be loaded and separated from Sr(II)-Rb(I) as a simulation model for Sr(II) recovery from its Sr(II)-Rb(I) system using different concentrations of HNO3 as eluent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugarcane bagesse was utilised as a low-cost adsorbent for the removal of metal ions. The study was done at a temperature of 35°C, and the maximum adsorption capacities for Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions were 3.02 and 2.90 mg/g, respectively, for sugarcane bagasse. These results were determined using the following optimum conditions: initial metal ion concentration of 100 mg/dm3, adsorbent weight of 0.5 g, time of 30 min and pH of 6. The adsorption of the metal ions by the adsorbents decreased with an increase in the initial concentration of the metal ions in an aqueous solution. The rate of adsorption also increased with temperature. The adsorption showed a good fit to the Langmuir model compared to the Freundlich adsorption model. The Langmuir dimensionless constant (RL) for the adsorption of Pb(II) ion and Cd(II) ion ranged from 0.081 to 0.123 and 0.115 to 0.172, respectively, which confirms favourable adsorption. The adsorption process showed that the pseudo-second-order kinetics was a better fit than the pseudo-first-order kinetics. The result of this work showed a low-cost and efficient potential of sugarcane bagasse to be employed as a good adsorbent for metal ion removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy water is an important industrial chemical for nuclear power generation from natural uranium, precursor for tritium, required for fusion power generation and an important chemical and biochemical tracer. Its separation from natural or synthetic D2O–H2O binary solutions is highly energy intensive. Therefore for development of chemical and physiochemical processes for its separation, physical properties of binary solutions of D2O and H2O are important. In this study, density, excess molar volume, refractive indices and related properties are reported for D2O–H2O binary solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The micellar solubilization of naphthalene from its saturated aqueous solutions using the biosurfactant rhamnolipid was studied. Using the NMR diffusion method, selective measurements of the self‐diffusion coefficients of molecules of all components of the solution—naphthalene, rhamnolipid, and water—were carried out at various rhamnolipid concentrations from 0.06 to 100 g/L. Based on the results of diffusometry, the distribution of naphthalene molecules between the states free in solution and states bound by micelles was found. With an increase in the concentration of rhamnolipids, the proportion of bound naphthalene molecules increases from 50% at CRL = 2 g/L to 100% at CRL ≥ 50 g/L. The micelle‐water partition coefficient Km and the molar solubilization ratio MSR were calculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of the modern world necessitates the establishment of diverse industrial sectors, but it is crucial to prioritize sustainability in the process. Many of these industries discharge organic pollutants indiscriminately into aqueous environments, contributing to human and aquatic health consequences. The incorporation of advanced oxidation processes has emerged as a strategy for removing organic contaminants present in wastewater. Sonolytic degradation, a form of advanced oxidation process (AOP), effectively tackles organic pollutants in wastewater, yet it comes with inherent limitations. In addressing limitations, hybrid techniques integrating ultrasound with other AOPs enhance efficiency in wastewater pollutant removal. The combination of ultrasound in conjunction with AOPs, such as heterogeneous approaches like ultrasound combined with metal ions, metal oxides, and photocatalysis, as well as homogeneous methods like ultrasound paired with peroxymonosulfate and persulfate, effectively breaks down organic pollutants. This review emphasizes the efficacy of ultrasound-based hybrid techniques for degrading organic pollutants in aqueous solutions, highlighting their distinct advantages in water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 /In(OH) 3 photocatalysts were synthesised using a one-pot hydrothermal method. • Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 /In(OH) 3 /PVDF (BON-M) demonstrated effective degradation of tetracycline. • BON-M showed good stability with effective antifouling and self-cleaning properties. • The photocatalyst relies on S-scheme heterojunctions for its effectiveness. • Photogenerated holes play a dominant role in the BON-M system. Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 /In(OH) 3 (BON) photocatalysts were synthesized by a one-pot method and loaded onto polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes to obtain a Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 /In(OH) 3 /PVDF (BON-M) catalytic membrane system. The catalytic membranes demonstrated complete degradation of tetracycline within 40 min under visible light. They demonstrated robust photocatalytic activity across a broad pH range (5–11) and in the presence of coexisting ions. The membranes demonstrated excellent self-cleaning performance. Following exposure to light, the irreversible contamination decreased from 27.1% to 4.7% and the membrane's permeability was almost completely restored. Moreover, the charge transfer mechanism at the S-scheme heterojunction interface of BON was demonstrated by Density functional theory and in-situ X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy characterisation, and the active sites involved in tetracycline's degradation were identified. Meanwhile, the mechanism of the "anemone effect" of BON-M was demonstrated in conjunction with Electron paramagnetic resonance, and the intrinsic Some factors enhancing the membranes' photocatalytic activity are specified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] There are few explorations that have integrated multiple properties into photonic microobjects in a facile and controlled manner. In this work, we present a straightforward method to integrate different functions into individual photonic microobject. Droplet-based microfluidics was used to produce uniform droplets of an aqueous dispersion of monodispersed SiO 2 nanoparticles (NPs). The droplets evolved into opal-structured photonic microballs upon complete evaporation of water. After infiltration of an aqueous solution of acrylamide (AAm) and acrylic acid (AAc) monomers into the interstices among SiO 2 NPs, opal-structured SiO 2 NPs/pAAm- co -AAc hydrogel composite photonic microballs were obtained upon UV irradiation. Afterwards, a wet etching process was introduced to etch the microballs in a controlled manner, yielding individual photonic microball composed of an SiO 2 NPs/pAAm- co -AAc composite opal core and a neat pAAm- co -AAc shell. The pendant carboxylic acid groups in the skeleton of the hydrogel matrix were further utilized to react with positively charged compounds, such as Ruthenium compound containing fluorescent polymers. The resulting photonic microobjects eventually featured with localized stimulus-responsive properties and multiple colors under different modes. The multifunctional photonic microobjects were discovered to have fivefold of anticounterfeiting properties when used as building blocks for anticounterfeiting structures and may have other potential applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Internet of Things (IoT) devices and small robots would benefit from higher-energy-density and disposable primary Al–air batteries, but corrosion and side reactions on the Al anode limit the widespread application of this chemistry. This paper studies how the physical and chemical characteristics of double-network hydrogel (DNH) electrolytes affect the anode oxidation, discharge morphology, and performance of Al–air batteries. The chemically crosslinked and physical–chemical crosslinked DNHs were made from biodegradable materials and showed enhanced corrosion inhibition compared to aqueous KOH solution, reducing the corrosion rate by 58% to 21 mmpy. An Al–air battery with a PVA-PAAM DNH extracted over 300 mAh cm−2 from Al at 10 mA cm−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ubiquitous presence of MPs in water bodies presents an escalating concern, as these minuscule plastic particles could ultimately reach humans via the drinking water supply. This study explores the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of removing PE and PVC MPs using Abelmoschus esculentus seeds (commonly known as okra), a natural and environmentally benign coagulant. Through experiments conducted under varying conditions—such as pH level, coagulant dosage, MP concentration, and EC—using the standard method and a Jar test apparatus, the sedimentation rate was assessed. ZP analysis revealed that charge neutralization and bridging cause pivotal in enhancing the removal efficiency of MPs. FESEM and FTIR analyses corroborated the formation of new bonds during the interaction between the MPs and the okra seed-based coagulant. The findings indicate that the optimal parameters for PVC removal were a coagulant dosage of 70 mg/L, a pH of 10, and an MP concentration of 20 mg/L, achieving a removal efficiency of 80.11%. Conversely, for PE, the maximum removal efficiency of 64.76% was realized at a coagulant dosage of 70 mg/L, a pH of 3, and an MP concentration of 20 mg/L. Abelmoschus esculentus seeds offer a practical and eco-friendly option, potentially substituting chemical coagulants, to efficiently eliminate MPs from aquatic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raw white clay was acidified with H2SO4 (2 M) and then activated in a furnace for 2 h at 150oC. The resulting acid-activated clay product was used as an adsorbent for the removal of radioactive substances such as Cs+, Sr2+ and Co2+ ions in aqueous solution. The specific surface area and the pore volume of acid-activated clay were three times higher compared to raw white clay. At 100 mg L- of initial concentration and 1.0 g of dosage, removal efficiencies of Cs+, Sr2+ and Co2+ ions showed 60.0%, 27.3%, and 88.1%, respectively. It was found that the Langmuir isotherm was described well to the adsorption behavior of Cs+, Sr2+ and Co2+ ions on acid-activated clay rather than Freundlich isotherm. The Langmuir isotherm constant (Q) for Cs+, Sr2+ and Co2+ ions was found to be 8.81, 3.78 and 10.20 mg g-1, respectively. Compared to the pseudo-first-order kinetic model, the pseudo-second-order kinetic model was more suitable for adsorption of Cs+, Sr2+ and Co2+ ions in water/acid-activated clay medium owing to the higher correlation coefficient (R2) and the more proximity value of the experimental value qe,exp and the calculated value qe,cal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dioxide (CO2) capture technologies are crucial for mitigating climate change, with post‐combustion capture (PCC) using chemical absorption being a leading method. However, the energy‐intensive solvent regeneration process presents a significant challenge, consuming up to 50% of the total energy in carbon sequestration. Despite extensive research on absorption, desorption studies remain limited. This study focuses on the desorption analysis through experimental runs in a pilot‐scale tray column with varying flow rates, validating an Aspen Plus model. The research compares the impact of the number of stages, feed stage position, column pressure, and reflux ratio between equilibrium and rate‐based models. The findings reveal enhanced desorption efficiency through optimized operational conditions, including reduced flow rates, additional equilibrium stages, feeding stage positioning closer to the condenser, elevated pressures, and lower reflux ratios. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, MXene nanosheets were utilized as a co-catalyst to modify the graphitic carbon nitride photocatalyst and synthesize the g-C3N4/MXene composite. Eosin Y dye was employed as a model organic pollutant to evaluate the photocatalytic degradation performance. Eosin Y, an anionic dye, poses significant environmental and health risks due to its resistance to biodegradation, as well as its toxicity and carcinogenicity. To synthesize this composite, graphitic carbon nitride was initially produced using a simple thermal polymerization method. Subsequently, it was protonated and assembled with MXene nanosheets through a self-assembly process. The MXene nanosheets were synthesized using a Mild method. Characterization and confirmation of the successful synthesis of the g-C3N4/MXene composite were conducted through X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analyses. The results of the Eosin Y degradation experiments indicated that the composite with a 7% weight ratio of MXene nanosheets exhibited the highest photocatalytic performance among the various weight ratios tested. The incorporation of MXene nanosheets more than doubled the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of graphitic carbon nitride. The MCN7 sample was able to remove 98% of 25 mg/L Eosin Y dye from an aqueous solution within 120 minutes, using a photocatalyst dosage of 0.4 g/L. The findings of this study demonstrate that the integration of MXene nanosheets with graphitic carbon nitride significantly enhances the photocatalytic performance of graphitic carbon nitride in the degradation of organic pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is common to observe that monotonic K1c (lab air) and K1scc (NaCl solution) decrease with increasing YS of an alloy. K1c is measured in lab air and K1scc in an aqueous solution such as NaCl. It is noted that K1c is not considered as a subcritical parameter while K1scc is. Interestingly, for a given alloy, both these parameters seem to be inter-related. That is, K1scc is linearly related to K1c, such that K1scc increases with increasing K1c. This may indicate that plasticity is affecting the K1scc behavior. This article looks into the conditions that affect K1scc for steels, Al-alloys, and Ti-alloys. This linear variation of K1scc with K1c seems to be independent of alloy YS, E, microstructure, and work hardening rate. This observation seems similar in all three systems of alloys. How these parameters are interrelated is analyzed and discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research and development of green techniques for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with bioactive plants has gained more attention against toxic chemicals. In this research, the aqueous solution of safflower extract was utilized for the simple, green, and commercial synthesis of AgNPs from AgNO3 solution on the wool yarn. The effect of the amount of extract and AgNO3 on the properties of produced nanoparticles was studied. The analysis of AgNPs by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) system and Ultravioletvisible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy exhibited that the particle size of produced NPs was <57 nm. In addition, the colorimetric data of wool yarn dyed with safflower extract in the presence of different concentrations of AgNO3 solution were also studied. The results showed that the presence of nanoparticles changed the color hue (hᵒ: 86→58), and the absorption of safflower extract on the wool samples increased from 5 to 29. Also, the ratings of washing and rubbing fastness of dyed samples were satisfactory (4-5). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the removal of Congo red dye from aqueous solution using functionalized generation 3.0 and 5.0 Polyamidoamine dendrimer – silica gel composite (G-3PS, G-5PS). Fourier Transform-Infra Red spectroscopy, Brunauer Emmett and Teller, Thermogravimetric Analysis, pH at point of zero charge, and Scanning Electron Microscopy measurements have been applied to characterize the synthetic nanohybride composite, these techniques revealed the successful functionalization of both dendrimer molecules and subsequent immobilization onto silica gel. The implications of varying adsorption parameters such as contact time, initial concentration of adsorbate, temperature and pH on both composites were studied. Experimental data obtained from batch adsorption processes were fitted into two equilibrium isotherms (Langmuir and Freundlich) and 3 kinetic models (Pseudo-First-Order, Pseudo-Second-Order, Intra Particle Diffusion). Adsorption mechanism was mainly governed by film diffusion due to electrostatic interactions between the functionalized dendrimer surface and Congo red molecules. Thermodynamic parameters illustrate that the adsorption is endothermic and spontaneous. Findings suggest the Nanocomposites G-3PS G-5PS) are good adsorbents for the removal of Congo red dye from aqueous solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This study synthesized 1,6‐naphthyridine as a novel class of fused heterocyclic compounds with high efficiency using a multicomponent reaction. The reaction involved benzaldehyde or its derivatives, 2 mol of malononitrile, and 4‐aminocumarin in an aqueous solution at room temperature in the presence of SiO2/Fe3O4@MWCNTs as a recyclable catalyst. This study examines the antioxidant properties of 1,6‐naphthyridine in addition to the other research undertaken in this work. The production process of 1,6‐naphthyridine demonstrated several advantageous features, including rapid reactions, high yields of the final product, and straightforward separation of the catalyst and product from the reaction mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the rapidly evolving landscape of information security, the demand for optical encryption techniques based on wettability patterning, which allows decryption without sophisticated devices and complex procedures, is progressively increasing. However, conventional approaches based on binary wettability patterned surfaces impose significant constraints in their practical use for high‐level information security. Herein, a novel approach to optically encrypt information through multi‐level wettability patterning is introduced on a porous polymer matrix synthesized from vinyl methacrylate (VMA) and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA). By employing the thiol‐ene click reaction, precise patterning of functional groups is achieved that exhibit distinct wettability responses to aqueous solutions with varying surface tensions, as well as pH‐responsive and fluorescent markers. This multi‐level wettability system surpasses traditional binary hydrophilic/hydrophobic patterns by providing enhanced control over wettability states, resulting in higher‐level encryption of information. The integration of pH and fluorescence responsivity further elevates the complexity and security of the encrypted information, making it decipherable only under specific and controlled conditions. The innovative approach offers a highly secure, robust, and customizable encryption method, redefining the potential of optical encryption technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIn this paper, poly (acrylamide-co-N-vinylcaprolactam) [poly(AM-co-NVCL)] hydrogels were modified by aqueous solution polymerization using sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na) and Laponite. Their properties were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), rheological testing, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The swelling kinetics showed that the equilibrium swelling ratio of the xerogel was influenced by the monomer ratio, crosslinking agent, and modifier content. As the Laponite and CMC-Na content increased, the compressive strength of the composite hydrogel increased, while the elongation at break decreased. The modified composite hydrogel exhibited dual sensitivity to pH and temperature. DSC and rheological tests indicated that CMC-Na functioned as a physical crosslinking agent in the system, and with the increase in CMC-Na content, the crosslinking effect was enhanced. SEM demonstrated that the addition of Laponite and CMC-Na increased the number of pores in the hydrogel and decreased the pore size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We herein report a "Fight Aggregation with Aggregation" (FAA) approach for redirection of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) aggregation using a europium(III) complex (EuL3) that can undergo H-aggregation in aqueous solution under physiological conditions. The H-aggregates of EuL3 may serve as scaffolds that can facilitate the accumulation of Aβ to form non-fibrillar co-assemblies. As a result, the Aβ aggregation-induced cytotoxicity was inhibited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrate pollution of surface and groundwater could be a worldwide issue resulting in the threat to the environment and public health. The removal of nitrate from water was carried out using gamma aluminum oxide (γ-Al2O3) nano powder. The nano powder was synthesized from aluminum oxide powder using the aqueous-based reflux method and applied for nitrate removal. The surface properties of the activated γ-Al2O3 were characterized using FTIR, XRD, and BET surface area analysis. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze nitrate removal to determine the appropriate regression model, which was found to be the quadratic model with a coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.99). The adsorption process was observed to be dependent on initial nitrate concentration, adsorbent dose, and time. The optimized nitrate removal efficiencies were 97.01% using a dose of 2.26 gL−1, an initial nitrate concentration of 10 mgL−1, and a contact time of 45 min. Additionally, the kinetics of nitrate ion adsorption was discussed based on pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order kinetic models. The experimental data fitted well with the pseudo-second order kinetic model, indicating that the adsorption mechanism is chemisorption. The equilibrium adsorption of nitrate experimental data followed the both Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm (R2 = 0.95), implying a homogeneous nature of the γ-Al2O3 surface sites. These results suggest further consideration of the practical application of γ-Al2O3 for nitrate treatment for domestic purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photosynthesis is a complex multi‐step process in which light collection is the initial step of photosynthesis and plays an important role in the utilization of solar energy. In order to improve the utilization of sunlight, researchers have developed a variety of artificial light‐harvesting systems to simulate photosynthesis in nature. Here, we report a supramolecular artificial light‐harvesting system in aqueous solution. Since β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) has a hydrophobic cavity and a hydrophilic outer surface, we adopt β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) as the host molecule and use adamantane as the guest molecule. At the same time, we modified β‐CD with the donor molecule naphthalimide and adamantane with the tetraphenylethylene molecule which has aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) effects. By using fluorescent molecules with AIE, the self‐quenching effect caused by aggregation in aqueous solution can be effectively avoided. Due to the host‐guest interaction of β‐CD and adamantane, nanoparticles with stable structure and uniform size can be spontaneously assembled in water. Because of the close distance and strong spectral overlap between naphthalimide and tetraphenylethylene, Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) was realized, and artificial light‐harvesting system was successfully constructed in aqueous solution. Therefore, this study provides a new strategy for constructing artificial light‐harvesting system, and the artificial light‐harvesting system shows broad application prospects in aqueous solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective encapsulation is essential for reliable operation of bio‐integrated electronics, particularly those containing dissolvable elements, under humid environments for desired periods of time; however, conventional inorganic or organic encapsulants often suffer from tissue‐incompatible mechanical rigidity and insufficient water‐barrier performance. Here, a mechanically resilient and efficient encapsulation strategy is proposed that can exceed a functional lifetime of state‐of‐the‐art soft encapsulations by several tens of magnitudes. The exceptional protection arises from the high aspect ratio of dissolvable yet impermeable inorganic fillers embedded within biodegradable polymers, which significantly extend the diffusion length of biofluids or water components. Theoretical modeling and experimental analysis elucidate the effects of types, shapes, and concentrations of the fillers on encapsulation performance, as well as mechanical/physical properties. The operation of electronic components under aqueous solutions for prolonged periods demonstrates the practical feasibility of the encapsulation approach for versatile types of soft, biodegradable electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient 2D membranes play a critical role in water purification and desalination. However, most 2D membranes, such as graphene oxide (GO) membranes, tend to swell or disintegrate in liquid, making precise ionic sieving a tough challenge. Herein, the fabrication of the polyoxometalate clusters (PW12) intercalated reduced graphene oxide (rGO) membrane (rGO‐PW12) is reported through a polyoxometalate‐assisted in situ photoreduction strategy. The intercalated PW12 result in the interlayer spacing in the sub‐nanometer scale and induce a nanoconfinement effect to repel the ions in various salt solutions. The permeation rate of rGO‐PW12 membranes are about two orders of magnitude lower than those through the GO membrane. The confinement of nanochannels also generate the excellent non‐swelling stability of rGO‐PW12 membranes in aqueous solutions up to 400 h. Moreover, when applied in forward osmosis, the rGO‐PW12 membranes with a thickness of 90 nm not only exhibit a high‐water permeance of up to 0.11790 L m−2 h−1 bar−1 and high NaCl rejection (98.3%), but also reveal an ultrahigh water/salt selectivity of 4740. Such significantly improved ion‐exclusion ability and high‐water flux benefit from the multi‐interactions and nanoconfinement effect between PW12 and rGO nanosheets, which afford a well‐interlinked lamellar structure via hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing cleaning methods mainly focus on removing free‐state pesticides. However, mancozeb can bind to the wax layer of grapes, forming bound‐state residues that are difficult to remove. This study aims to develop an effective cleaning strategy to eliminate both free and bound mancozeb residues from grapes. Compared with the untreated mancozeb aqueous solution, the concentration of free mancozeb significantly decreased (p < 0.05) after treatment with ozonated water (OW), electrolyzed water (EW), and their combination (OW+EW) for 60 min. The combined treatment synergistically promoted mancozeb degradation, thus reducing its half‐life to 38% and 75% of that observed when OW and EW were used alone, respectively. To investigate the effect of the waxy layer on mancozeb removal, oleanolic acid (OLA) was selected as a representative component. The binding effect of OLA limited the degradation of mancozeb in OW and EW, extending its half‐life by 1.27 and 1.20 times, respectively. Density functional theory elucidated the mechanism by which the binding of OLA affects the degradation of mancozeb. Interestingly, the decomposition of mancozeb in OW + EW was almost unaffected by the introduction of OLA, indicating that the combined treatment could effectively remove bound‐state mancozeb. The combined treatment was then successfully applied to remove mancozeb from grapes. After exposure to OW + EW for 10 min, the removal efficiency of mancozeb reached up to 80.61% with minimal risks of ethylene thiourea formation. There was no obvious change in the surface color of grapes after treatment. The findings provide valuable guidance for removing mancozeb from fresh fruits rich in waxy coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a novel hydrogel (HG-cl-poly(AA)) was synthesized by grafting acrylic acid (AA) onto Hing gum (HG) using methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBA) as a cross-linker and ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator in a hot air oven. The percentage swelling of the hydrogel was examined by optimizing various reaction parameters to ensure its maximum swelling percentage. The formation of crosslinked networks was confirmed using Fourier-Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. The surface area and hydrophilicity of the prepared hydrogel were determined using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analyzer and wettability studies, demonstrating a clear correlation with adsorption. The adsorption of crystal violet (CV) dye on the prepared hydrogel was studied via a batch adsorption system based on the amount of adsorbent, immersion time, pH level, and initial dye concentration. The prepared hydrogel showed a 99% removal rate and an excellent adsorption capacity of 492.61mg/g due to the electrostatic, H-bonding, and dipole–dipole interactions between the adsorbent surface and dye molecules. The results were further analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Tempkin isotherm models. The study suggests consistency with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R2=0.998), further supported by the best data fit with the Langmuir isotherm model (R2=0.991). The thermodynamic study results indicated that the adsorption process is endothermic and spontaneous. Regeneration (desorption) studies showed that the prepared hydrogel could remove CV dye from an aqueous solution and maintain the highest adsorption capacity even after multiple adsorption and desorption cycles. Therefore, the prepared HG-cl-poly(AA) hydrogel could be a potential adsorbent for dye removal and have an admirable capacity for cleaning the aquatic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of pore space partition has emerged as an effective strategy for developing improved coordination‐based supramolecular porous materials with exceptional performance. Herein, we report that a water‐soluble self‐assembled tetrahedral cage 1 with a partitioned cavity shown excellent performance as a multifunctional extractant. The results show that this unique partitioned cavity can efficiently separate halogenated adamantanes, adamantane isomers, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Furthermore, the influence of cavity‐partitioned cage 1 on the electrochemical properties of redox‐active molecules and electrochemically driven reversible host–guest process has also been demonstrated. The findings offer valuable insights into the design and development of new type of materials with controlled phase separation and tailored electrochemical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Termination kinetics of radical polymerization of N‐vinyl formamide (NVF) in aqueous solution has been measured via SP–PLP–NIR, i.e., single pulse (SP) initiation of pulsed laser polymerization (PLP) in conjunction with microsecond time‐resolved near‐infrared (NIR) detection of monomer concentration. Experiments are performed at initial NVF weight fractions from 0.20 up to bulk NVF, at monomer conversions up to 40%, and at temperatures from 40 to 70 °C as well as pressures from 500 to 2500 bar. Applying high pressure improves signal‐to‐noise quality. Data obtained upon pressure variation allow for extrapolation toward ambient pressure. The primary quantity from SP–PLP–NIR is kp/<kt>, i.e., the ratio of propagation rate coefficient, kp, to apparent chain‐length‐averaged termination rate coefficient, <kt>. With kp being available from literature, kp/<kt> yields <kt>. This quantity is relevant for modeling polymerization rate and polymer properties. Termination in the initial polymerization period turns out to be controlled by segmental diffusion and, at higher degrees of monomer conversion up to 40%, by translational diffusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A non-equilibrium cucurbit[7]uril-mediated supramolecular host–guest system is fabricated by using urea/urease to control aqueous solution pH on time dimension, showing transient assembly behavior and time-dependent fluorescence. The dynamic assembly can be also achieved in hydrogel network, resulting in a time-dependent fluorescent hydrogel for information encryption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food & Fermentation Industries is the property of Food & Fermentation Industries and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: The research of natural and sustainable solutions to improve rural water quality in developing countries of Sub-Saharan Africa represents a major challenge. It is in this context that the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a biocoagulant/bioflocculant mixture based on Boscia senegalensis seeds powder and Aloe vera leaves extract for treating water intended for human consumption in rural areas. Methods: To do this, 100 g of Boscia senegalensis seeds powder and 50 g of Aloe vera leaves extract were prepared separately as aqueous solutions in 1 L of distilled water, then applied, respectively, as biocoagulant for Boscia and bioflocculant for Aloe to raw water samples in jar tests. The quality of the treated water was evaluated, and compared with WHO standards of acceptability. Results and discussion: Experimental results showed that the Boscia senegalensis biocoagulant (at 7 mL/L) initially reduced turbidity by 85% after 2 h of decantation. When combined with Aloe bioflocculant (at 0.4 mL/L), a 99% reduction was obtained after just 15 min of decantation. Quality control of the water treated with this biocoagulant/bioflocculant mixture showed perfect compliance of physicochemical parameters with WHO standards, and almost total elimination of pathogenic microorganisms. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of this new Boscia/Aloe mixture in the rapid potabilization of raw water intended for human consumption. However, prolonged storage of water treated with the Boscia/Aloe mixture at room temperature may lead to further bacterial proliferation due to the remaining organic matter. To avoid this problem, additional disinfection methods such as boiling, SODIS (Solar Disinfection) method or sand filtration are recommended for prolonged storage of treated water. Ultimately, the adoption of this environmentally-friendly biotechnology could not only improve public health, but also empower local communities in Sub-Saharan Africa by providing them with a local and effective methodology for tackling the growing challenges associated with access to drinking water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft-brittle crystals such as KH2PO4 (KDP) pose significant challenges to traditional machining techniques due to their inherent brittleness and substantial sizes. To surmount these challenges, this paper presents the water dissolution combined continuous polishing (WDCCP) method based on the water dissolution principle for achieving high-efficiency and high-quality machining. The WDCCP process is a three-step methodology including initial precision polishing with an aqueous solution, subsequent ultra-precision polishing utilizing a water-in-oil microemulsion, and final cleaning with anhydrous ethanol. Comprehensive analyses of the slurry's microstructure and viscosity are conducted to reveal the surface planarization mechanism. Multiple slurry dispensers ensure a more uniform distribution of various slurries across the interface between the KDP crystal and the pad, thereby enhancing surface quality. Experimental trials conducted on a large numerical control polishing machine demonstrate that precision polishing can eliminate sawn surface defects within a mere 5 min. The ultra-precision polishing significantly reduces the surface roughness root mean square (rms) from 474.974 to 2.779 nm and the peak-to-valley (PV) from 29.859 to 48.949 nm. After WDCCP, the integral morphology of a 180 mm × 180 mm KDP crystal exhibits a PV of 1.938 waves and an rms of 0.264 waves. The WDCCP method emerges as a potent and efficient solution for the machining of large-sized soft-brittle crystals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most nonconventional luminogens enjoy good water solubility and biocompatibility, showing unique application prospects in fields like biological imaging. Although clustering‐triggered emission (CTE) mechanisms have been proposed to explain such emissions, it has not been thoroughly elucidated, which limits their development and application. Herein, the photoluminescence properties of polyacrylamide prepared by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization aqueous solution are utilized to further investigate the effects of changes in concentration, in order to elucidate the emission mechanism through transmission electron microscopy (TEM), small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) and theoretical calculation. The results showed that the size distribution, morphology, and distance between the polymer clusters formed in the water solution are successfully correlated with the cluster emission centers. The emission mechanism of nonconventional luminogens solutions is more clearly and intuitively elucidated, which has a promoting effect on the emission and application of this field. It provides a strategy a strategy to clarify the CTE mechanism of nonconventional luminogens solution more clearly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new class of biologics is obtained using the technologically processed of antibodies (TPA), which are used as the initial substance, and their dilution at each stage is accompanied by a controlled external vibrational (mechanical) treatment. This article focuses on the development and validation of a novel technique that can be applied for assessing the identity of TPA-based drugs. It has previously been found that after such treatment, the resulting solution either acquired new properties that were not present in the initial substance or a quantitative change in properties compared to the initial substance was observed. The use of mechanical treatment during the manufacture of the TPA-based drugs can cause the formation of new bonds between the solvent and antibody molecules. These changes manifest themselves in altered adsorption at the surface of the test solutions, which results in the formation of a near-surface film. One of the indicators of such events is the change in the surface temperature of the solution, which can be analyzed using high-resolution thermography. Unlike other methods, the high-resolution thermography allows the near-surface layer of a heterogeneous aqueous solution to be clearly visualized and quantified. A number of experiments were performed: seven replicates of sample preparations were tested; the influence of factors "day" or "operator" was investigated during 12 days of testing by two operators. The method also allowed us to distinguish between technologically processed antibodies and samples containing technologically processed buffer. The thermographic analysis has proven to be a simple, specific, and reproducible technique that can be used to analyze the identity of TPA-based drugs, regardless of the dosage form tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gelatin polymers made from partially degraded collagen are important biomaterials, but their in‐situ analysis suffers from uncontrollable covalent labelling and poor spatial‐temporal imaging resolution. Herein, three tetrazolate‐tagged tetraphenylethylene fluorophores (TPE−TAs) are introduced for practical fluorogenic labelling of gelatin in aqueous phase and hydrogels. These probes with aggregation‐induced emission characteristics offer negligible background and elicit turn‐on fluorescence by simply mixing with the gelatin in aqueous phase, giving a detection limit of 0.15 mg/L over a linear dynamic range up to 100 mg/L. This method does not work for collagens and causes minimal interference with gelatin properties. Mechanistic studies reveal a key role for multivalent electrostatic interactions between the abundant basic residues in gelatin (e. g. lysine, hydroxylysine, arginine) and anionic tetrazolate moieties of the lipophilic fluorophore synergistically in spatially rigid macromolecular encapsulation to achieve fluorogenic labelling. The AIE strategy by forming non‐covalent fluorophore‐gelatin complexes was developed for novel hydrogels that exhibited reversible fluorescence in response to dynamic microstructural changes in the hydrogel scaffold upon salting‐in/out treatments, and enabled high spatial‐temporal imaging of the fiber network in lyophilized samples. This work may open up avenues for in‐situ imaging analysis and evaluation of gelatin‐based biomaterials during processes such as in vivo degradation and mineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrogenation of nitrogen‐containing heterocyclic precursors in aqueous medium is challenging, especially at ambient temperature and pressure. Electrochemical hydrogenation (ECH) of quinoline to 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoline (THQ) at mild conditions using water as the hydrogen source is demonstrated with splendid activity on a Cu‐based nonprecicous catalyst. The yield of THQ is up to ≈100% with ≈100% selectivity at −1.275 V vs Hg/HgO. The real active sites and key intermediates are deciphered, where the Lewis acid‐base sites on the heterointerface of Cu/Cu2O are beneficial to the quinoline adsorption in a dual‐site coordination configuration and water dissociation to afford H*. The presence of Cu0 plays a vital role in inhibiting the binding of H*, which ensures good Faradaic efficiency. In addition, a novel co‐production system by coupling benzyl alcohol oxidation at the anode is established, achieving dual benefits in both energy utilization efficiency and economic benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medium- and low-permeability reservoirs are important in oilfield development. However, due to their characteristics of poor pore permeability and high heterogeneity, the development of suitable technologies has been very difficult. In this study, an in situ emulsifying/ultra-low-interfacial-tension cyclic flooding system has been developed for low- and medium-permeability reservoirs. Based on the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value method, an emulsifying surfactant ASD with Span 80 (sorbitan monooleate) as the main component has been identified as highly promising through screening. At mass fractions of surfactant ASD between 0.2% and 0.6%, the extent of water separation from the emulsion is greatly reduced, and the W/O emulsion can effectively improve the mobility ratio and increase the sweep volume. The surfactant SA synthesized in our laboratory reduces the interfacial tension of crude oil to 10−4 mN m−1. Laboratory core flooding experiments have shown that multiple rounds of alternating injection with aqueous solutions of surfactants ASD and SA can improve oil recovery by 22.25%. Upon injecting a low-viscosity aqueous solution of surfactant ASD, it emulsifies crude oil in situ under reservoir conditions, solving the problems of difficult polymer injection and insufficient spread. Our work provides useful insights for the development of low- and medium-permeability reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global demand for green energy stimulates the need for rechargeable batteries and their components, containing lithium, cobalt, manganese, copper, and nickel. Consequently, the quantitative determination of the battery metals has crucial importance in optimizing associated processes and waste management. The fundamental properties of an analyzer for continuous process and field measurements are sensitivity, selectivity, stability, mobility, and robustness. Unfortunately, these characteristics are lacking in numerous existing methods for metals monitoring. Hence, this gap led us to demonstrate the performance of micro-discharge optical emission spectroscopy (µDOES), a novel online trace metal analyzer. This study shows that the new online analyzer with its simple and compact design can match requirements for real-time determination of metals in aqueous solutions in the field. The performance of the system is defined with copper, nickel, and lithium dissolved in deionized water. The limit of detection (LOD) along with long-term repeatability for Cu, Ni, and Li in continuous analysis reached 0.9, 4.1, and 0.1 µg/L, and 2, 2, and 4.2%, respectively. The applicability of the technique to a real-world application is demonstrated by analyzing a hydrometallurgical black mass sample received from the recycling process of lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The AlCl 3 /ZnCl 2 aqueous solution acts as a benign cellulose solvent, polymerization catalyst for acrylamide monomer, effective ion source for electron transport networks, and dynamic riveting point for hydrogel networks. [Display omitted] The green synthesis strategy for cellulose-containing hydrogel electrolytes is significant for effectively managing resources, energy, and environmental concerns in the contemporary world. Herein, we propose an all-green strategy using AlCl 3 /ZnCl 2 /H 2 O solvent to create cellulose/polyacrylamide-based hydrogel (AZ-Cel/PAM) with expanded hierarchical topologies. The aqueous AlCl 3 /ZnCl 2 facilitates the efficient dissolution of cellulose at room temperature, and the dispersed Al3+-Zn2+ ions autocatalytic system catalyzes in-situ polymerization of acrylamide (AM) monomer. This expands the AM network within the cellulose framework, forming multiple bonding interactions and stable ion channels. The resulting hybrid hydrogel exhibits improved mechanical properties (tensile strength of 56.54 kPa and compressive strength of 359.43 kPa) and enhanced ionic conductivity (1.99 S/m). Furthermore, it also demonstrates excellent adhesion, freeze resistance (−45 °C), and water retention capabilities. Quantum simulations further clarify the mechanical composition and ion transport mechanism of AZ-Cel/PAM hydrogels. The assembled supercapacitor with the hydrogel electrolyte, demonstrates an ideal area-specific capacitance of 203.80 mF/cm2. This all-green strategy presents a novel approach to developing sustainable energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, cost-effective alkali-activated materials made from industrial side streams (blast furnace slag and Na-jarosite) were developed for catalytic applications. The catalytic activity of the prepared materials was examined in catalytic wet peroxide oxidation reactions of a bisphenol A in an aqueous solution. All materials prepared revealed porous structure and characterisation expressed the incorporation of iron to the material via ion exchange in the preparation step. Furthermore, the materials prepared exhibited high specific surface areas (over 200 m2/g) and were mainly mesoporous. Moderate bisphenol A removal percentages (35%–37%) were achieved with the prepared materials during 3 h of oxidation at pH 7–8 and 50°C. Moreover, the activity of catalysts remained after four consecutive cycles (between the cycles the catalysts were regenerated) and the specific surface areas decreased only slightly and no changes in the phase structures were observed. Thus, the prepared blast furnace slag and Na-jarosite-based catalysts exhibited high mechanical stability and showed good potential in the removal of bisphenol A from wastewater through catalytic wet peroxide oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotics have several negative effects on aquatic ecosystems and are difficult to degrade using traditional water/wastewater treatment methods. As a result, new treatment techniques must be employed to eliminate these contaminants from aquatic environments. Research on the relationship between the decomposing process of antibiotics and different factors by new technologies is scarce. This research focuses on the capability of ozone micro-nano bubbles (OzMNBs) to eliminate the antibiotics ciprofloxacin (CIPR) and levofloxacin (LEVO) in aqueous solutions. We studied the CIPR and LEVO decomposition to different variables through the central composite design method. The main variables included pH, ozonation time, and initial antibiotic concentration. The correlation coefficients of the quadratic model obtained by using the software, Design Expert version 13.0.1. Analysis of variances proved the significance of models and main factors. Verification tests also confirmed that the final optimum conditions of the antibiotics decomposition were: pH 9, ozonation for 40 min and, initial antibiotic concentration of 5 mg/L. In optimum conditions, removal rate of about 97% and 100% was obtained for CIPR and LEVO, respectively. The order of influence of various factors on CIPR and LEVO decomposition were obtained and the interactions between the main factors were also investigated. At the last stage of the research, the efficiency of OzMNBs in the removal of total organic carbon and mineralization of the solutions containing CIPR and LEVO under optimum conditions was examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Petroleum Refinery Engineering is the property of Petroleum Refinery Engineering Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)