Journal of Chemistry and Environment is a peer-reviewed, open-access international journal that publishes original research and reviews in the fields of chemistry and protecting our environment for the future in an ongoing way. ISSN: 2959-0132 Frequency: Semiannual Access: Open Publication Charges: Click here Quick Submission: CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT
Tailoring Hydrophobicity: Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Pyridinium-based Surfactants as Corrosion Inhibitors
This was due to the effect of the alkyl chain length on the critical micelle concentration (CMC), adsorption behavior, and corrosion inhibition of CR4 mild steel in an acidified chloride solution (3.5 wt.% NaCl, pH 1.5) of a series of pyridinium-based cationic surfactants, namely N-(n-octyl)-2-methylpyridinium bromide (MP8),N-(n-decyl)-2-methylpyridinium bromide (MP10), and N-(n-dodecyl)-2-methylpyridinium bromide (MP12). The synthesized surfactants were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and their critical micelle concentration values were determined using the conductivity measurement technique. Weight-loss measurements, Potentiodynamic polarization, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were used for the assessment of corrosion inhibition performance. The lower CMC was correlated with an increase in the length of the alkyl chains (MP8<MP10<MP12), and the inhibition efficiency also increased. Weight-loss tests showed that MP12 (90%), MP10 (89%) and MP8 (88%) gave better results for adsorption on the surface of steel for which a compact protective film was formed, and electrochemical tests (MP8 < MP10 < MP12) showed increasing the alkyl chain ;length from MP8 to MP12 increased the hydrophobic character of the surfactants, which promoted molecular aggregation at lower concentrations, decreased the CMC, enhanced adsorption and protective film formation on the steel surface, and consequently improved the corrosion inhibition performance and adsorption tests showed the same trend. The potentiodynamic polarization icorr (µA/cm2) results showed that the prepared surfactants inhibited in mixed type while by EIS measurements the charge transfer resistance Rct increased and double layer capacitance (Cdl) values were decreased as the inhibitor concentration increased. Surface deterioration results were confirmed by SEM/EDX test which showed less surface deterioration where the inhibitors were present. The adsorption sites were determined through (DFT) calculations assisted with the help of the Mulliken population analysis and Fukui indices and it was found that as the alkyl chain length increased the adsorption strength and corrosion inhibition was increased. The combined experimental and theoretical results obtained indicated that the critical micelle concentration (CMC) played a vital role in the mechanism of adsorption and corrosion inhibition and could help in the rational design of the surfactant-based corrosion inhibitors.
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Alkyne-Linked Spirobifluorene D–π–A–π–D Emitters: Synthesis, Solution-State ICT Photophysics, and Comparative Acceptor Effects
The construction of sterically demanding donor-acceptor architectures remains a significant challenge in organic materials chemistry. Herein, two D-π-A-π-D type compounds, BTD-DPA and QXN-DPA, incorporating a 9,9′-spirobifluorene core with benzothiadiazole and quinoxaline acceptor units, were synthesized and investigated in solution. Conventional cross-coupling approaches, including Stille and Negishi reactions, were unsuccessful because of severe steric congestion between donor-bridge fragments and acceptor units. Introduction of alkyne spacers through Sonogashira coupling successfully enabled access to the target structures. Both compounds exhibited good stability in aerated chloroform solution, with no observable degradation after 30 days as monitored by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Photophysical studies revealed absorption maxima at 352 nm for BTD-DPA and 310 nm for QXN-DPA, with corresponding emission maxima at 400 nm and 450 nm, respectively. Fluorescence quantum yields of 16.4% for BTD-DPA and 14.3% for QXN-DPA were measured in toluene. Solvent-dependent fluorescence behavior indicated the presence of intramolecular charge-transfer excited states. Computational analysis further supported the mixed localized π-π* and charge-transfer character of the electronic excitations. Comparative analysis demonstrated that acceptor identity significantly influences the absorption energy, emission wavelength, and fluorescence efficiency of these spirobifluorene-based systems. These findings provide insight into structure-property relationships in sterically hindered donor–acceptor luminophores and establish an effective synthetic strategy for their preparation.
Antioxidant Efficacy of Gamma-Oryzanol and Tocotrienol-Rich Fractions from Rice Bran in Chia Seed Oil under Accelerated Oxidation Conditions
The antioxidant efficacy of gamma-oryzanol rich fraction (OzF) and tocotrienol rich fraction (TRF) extracted from rice bran in retarding oxidation of chia seed oil (CSO) were evaluated and compared to butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT) during storage at 63 ℃. The total phenolic and flavonoid compounds in CSO and antioxidant activities of OzF and TRF were determined. OzF showed better metal chelating activities compared to TRF, whereas ABTS radical and superoxide anion scavenging activities were comparable for the both. The protective effects of aforesaid extracts in stabilizing CSO were tested by measuring some oxidation indices of oils related to primary and secondary oxidative compounds. Under storage conditions, the oxidative indices were increased faster in untreated oils than those of antioxidant rich fractions incorporated oils which indicate smaller release of oxidative products in later ones. However, the presence of OzF and TRF in CSO decreased the oxidation deterioration of polyunsaturated fatty acid measured by gas-liquid chromatography. In FTIR, the peak intensities in CSO were greatly altered compared to the rest samples during storage. Changes in color value, carotenoids and chlorophyll derivatives contents in CSO were greater than those of the remaining samples during oxidation time. Under the above oxidation conditions and in most cases studied herein, the antioxidant efficacy in stabilizing CSO followed the order: OzF + TRF > BHT > OzF > TRF. This study may open up new opportunities for further technological development in generating stable edible oils, which have potential applications in different types of processed foods.
Potential Toxic Elements in the Sediments of an Urban River Near Industrial Areas of Bangladesh: Pollution Status, Source Identification and Environmental Risk Assessment
Sediments of urban river near industrial regions are increasingly polluted by potential toxic elements (PTEs), posing severe impact on aquatic ecosystems and human health. This study investigated the distribution, pollution status, source identification, and ecological and human health risks of PTEs in the sediments of the Tongi Khal, a heavily industrialized urban river of Bangladesh. The concentrations of PTEs (i.e., As, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Hg, Mn, and Co) were determined using ICP-MS, while the pollution status, source identification, ecological and human health implications were assessed using various established indices and multivariate statistical analyses. The results revealed that the mean concentrations of several PTEs, including Ni, Hg, Zn, Cr, Cd, and Cu surpassed the TEL level. Notably, Ni (79.71 mg/kg), Hg (1.55 mg/kg), and Zn (371.2 mg/kg) are in alarming concern, exceeding both the TEL and PEL levels. The Igeo values indicate that As, Pb, Cr, Hg, Co, and Mn are largely in unpolluted to moderately polluted category. Mercury (Hg) showed extremely high enrichment, with EF values ranging from 0.43 to 53.99, while Zn (2.12) showed the most substantial contamination concerning CF values, demonstrating a significant anthropogenic contribution. The composite pollution indices, such as MCD and PLI demonstrated low to moderate degree of pollution among majority of the sampling sites. The ERI values ranged from 40.738 to 940.801, indicating moderate to high ecological risks in Tongi Khal sediment. Multivariate statistical analyses, such as PCA and HCA revealed industrial effluents and urban runoff as the key sources of contamination. The HI values indicated children have higher susceptibility to non-carcinogenic risks than adults, while CR values reflected Cr and Pb as the major contributor to pose carcinogenic risks, particularly for children. This study delivers valuable insights into the extent of pollution, its sources, and the potential risks posed by PTEs in Tongi Khal, highlighting the necessity of improved environmental management strategies.
Drug Repurposing in Cancer Therapy: A Systematic Review
Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. Despite the intensive research, the success rate for new anticancer drug development remains below 10%, rendering conventional therapies alone insufficient to reduce cancer burden and mortality. Drug re-purposing offers an alternative way of identifying new therapeutic uses for approved drugs. This approach offers a shorter development timeline, lower costs, and a higher likelihood of clinical success. This systematic review aims to summarize all drugs repurposed against cancer to date comprehensively. Following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) guidelines, we reviewed 45 publications indexed in PubMed from January 2015 to December 2024. Studies focusing on drug re-purposing in oncology were included. Data were extracted on drug name, original therapeutic class, responsive cancer types, and mechanisms of action. Additionally, annual publication trends were analyzed, and findings were presented in an accessible tabular format. A total of 181 repurposed drugs, belonging to approximately 35 distinct pharmacological classes, were identified as having anticancer activity against 28 different cancer types. With few exceptions, the annual number of publications on cancer drug re-purposing increased over the decade. Each repurposed drug is summarized by its original use, responsive cancers, and the underlying mechanism of action. This study also analyzes the distribution of cancers addressed by this approach. Finally, the study discusses current challenges and prospects for re-purposing drugs as standard cancer therapy.
Natural Polyphenols Oleuropein and Hydroxytyrosol in Therapeutics: Potentials Against Cancer, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Diabetes
Oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol, two major polyphenolic compounds extracted from the olive tree (Olea europaea), have attracted significant scientific interest due to their strong pharmacological properties, including anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic effects. These compounds play a crucial role in modulating oxidative stress, neutralizing free radicals, and protecting against cellular damage, thereby contributing to neuroprotection, cardiovascular health, and metabolic regulation. Their anticancer potential has been widely demonstrated through their ability to inhibit tumor progression, induce apoptosis, and demonstrate the ability to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy in various tumor models, including breast and hepatocellular carcinoma. Additionally, their anti-inflammatory activity is attributed to the regulation of cytokines, suppression of NF-κB signaling, and modulation of immune responses, which could be beneficial in managing chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Moreover, their role in diabetes management has been extensively studied, demonstrating their ability to improve insulin sensitivity and regulate glucose metabolism, and reduce lipid accumulation in hepatic and adipose tissues, thus preventing metabolic complications. Despite extensive preclinical evidence supporting the therapeutic benefits of these compounds, their clinical translation remains challenging due to issues related to bioavailability, stability, and optimal dosage. Future research should focus on improving their pharmacokinetic properties, developing advanced drug delivery systems, and carrying out extensive clinical trials to confirm their safety and effectiveness in humans. The integration of these compounds into functional foods, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceutical formulations holds immense promise for preventive and therapeutic applications, potentially offering natural alternatives to conventional therapeutic agents for managing metabolic, inflammatory, and degenerative diseases.
Microplastic Contamination in Commercial Poultry Feed and Edible Chicken Tissues: An Emerging Environmental Concern
Due to the widespread presence in food stuff like chicken, fish, meat, milk, sugar, salt, honey, microplastics (MPs) are an emerging environmental health concern nowadays. This study aimed to investigate the presence of MP particles in commercial poultry feed and edible tissues of chickens around Rajshahi City of Bangladesh. A total of 10 feed samples and 30 chicken meat samples (breast, liver, gizzard) from five different poultry farms were analysed. MPs were detected in all sample types and the detected particles were less than 1 mm and greater than 1 µm in size. A total of 758 MP particles were collected from 10 feed samples and 30 chicken samples (breast, liver and gizzard of 10 chickens of 3 different variant) belonging to 5 different poultry farms. A total of 187 MP particles were collected from 10 feed samples, with a mean of 18.7 ± 2.40 MPs / g of feed. A total of 571 MP particles were collected from 30 chicken samples (breast, liver and gizzard of 10 chickens of 3 different variant), with a mean of 0.95±0.03 MPs / g of chicken meat sample. Four different types of shapes of MP particles (fibres, fragments, pellets and sheets) were identified from the feed samples and the chicken meat samples. Among these, fibres were the dominant type of shapes in both sample types (feed and chicken meat). Six different colors (red, blue, green, yellow, violet, transparent) were observed in the MP particles collected from the feed and chicken meat samples. The predominant colors of particles collected from feed and chicken flesh samples were red and transparent, respectively. Detected polymers included polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE) , and polypropylene (PP). The study results reveal that poultry feed is a primary route of MP exposure and that edible parts of chickens are highly contaminated with MPs at levels comparable to global trends. This suggests potential human exposure through poultry consumption and highlights the need for regulatory monitoring and feed quality control.
Synthesis, characterization and Bioactivity Evaluation of Heteroleptic Zinc(II) Complexes: Antioxidant and α-Amylase Inhibition Studies
A series of four zinc(II) complexes (SH-1 to SH-4) were successfully prepared through the reaction of zinc acetate dihydrate with 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (SH-1) in methanol and further reaction with additional ligands (1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2'-bipyridine, and 4-methylpyridine, respectively). The complexes were obtained in satisfactory yields (66-78%) and thoroughly characterized using elemental analysis and atomic absorption spectroscopy, which verified their proposed structure. FT-IR spectral analysis confirmed bidentate chelation of the carboxylate moiety to the zinc center, demonstrating metal-ligand interaction. UV-Visible spectroscopy showed characteristic absorption bands in the 200-300 nm range, corresponding to ligand-centered π→π* electronic transitions. Biological assessments revealed concentration-dependent antioxidant activity against DPPH radicals and inhibitory effects on α-amylase enzyme, with the 2,2'-bipyridine-containing complex (SH-3) show high performance in both biological assays compared to other complexes. The IC50 value of SH-3 is 5.867 ± 0.066 for biological activity. SH-4 shows a higher yield of 78%.
Green-Synthesized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles from Olive Leaves for Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Dyes and Chlorpyrifos
This study investigated the green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles using olive leaf extract and their application in degradation of synthetic dyes and chlorpyrifos. The nanoparticles were characterized by UV–visible spectrophotometry, FTIR, XRD, and SEM. UV–visible analysis revealed a distinct absorption peak near 300 nm, while FTIR confirmed functional groups including hydroxyl, carbonyl, nitrile, and alkyne. XRD showed well-defined diffraction peaks at planes (131), (113/247), (125), (393/138), (622), and (118), indicating a crystalline structure. SEM images revealed uniformly dispersed spherical nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 20 to 100 nm. Under light conditions, the nanoparticles exhibited significant degradation of methyl orange, methyl red, Congo red, and chlorpyrifos, with the highest degradation observed for methyl red (34.28%) and chlorpyrifos (27.38%) after 120 minutes. Our results demonstrate the potential of olive leaf–mediated iron oxide nanoparticles for pollutant degradation, while further studies on mineralization, reusability, and by-product analysis are needed to fully evaluate their environmental applicability.
Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The Structural, Optical and Thermal Characterization of g-C3N4 for Photocatalysis
Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)-based nanomaterials gained a lot of interest due to their special qualities, which include their chemical stability and ease of modification. Still, g-C3N4's ability to work as a photocatalyst is limited. The combination of adsorption and photocatalysis has become popular in recent years because adsorption is necessary for photocatalytic surface reactions. g-C3N4 was made by heating melamine and then cooling it down. Its structural, optical, and thermal properties were then studied. The XRD diffraction spectra show that g-C3N4 has a layered structure. The calculated d-spacing is 0.324 nm and the estimated crystallite size is 90.9 nm. The UV–Vis studies showed that the material strongly absorbs visible light and has a band gap of about 2.61 eV. TG and DSC results showed that the material was very stable at high temperatures and found a thermal transition point about 350 °C. These results indicate that g-C3N4 is a promising material for photocatalytic and environmental applications.
Biogenic Synthesis of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Using E. coli for Photocatalytic Degradation of Synthetic Textile Dyes
The uncontrolled discharge of synthetic dyes from the textile industries poses a major threat to freshwater ecosystems, human health and the environment. Conventional dye removal methods often fall short due to inefficiency, high cost, or environmental toxicity. The present study explores an eco-friendly approach to dye degradation through the green synthesis of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles using Escherichia coli. The biosynthesized CuO nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, SEM, and FTIR, confirming their nanoscale size, spherical morphology, and functional surface chemistry with Cu–O bonding. Their photocatalytic performance was evaluated against two model textile dyes: Reactive Red and Methylene Blue, representing anionic and cationic dye classes, respectively. Results revealed dose- and time-dependent degradation, with the first 7 hours under sunlight and the remaining period in an incubator at 37 °C. For Reactive Red, 5 ml of CuO NPs achieved 22.33% degradation after 7 hours of sunlight exposure and 25.05% by the end of 24 hours. For Methylene Blue, 5 ml of CuO NPs achieved 10.85% degradation after 7 hours in sunlight and 14.32% after 24 hours. Reactive Red dye was consistently degraded more efficiently than Methylene Blue, likely due to its azo structure interacting more effectively with CuO catalytic sites. The study demonstrates that biologically synthesized CuO nanoparticles offer a cost-effective, sustainable, and efficient solution for dye-laden wastewater remediation. These findings highlight the potential of microbially mediated nanotechnology for real-world environmental applications and contribute to the growing shift toward green chemistry in pollutant treatment systems.
Microplastic and Heavy Metal Accumulation in Cultured Fish: Concerns for Food Safety
Microplastic (MP) and heavy metal contamination in aquatic ecosystems pose serious risks to environmental and human health due to their toxic effects. This study investigates the presence of microplastics (MPs) and heavy metals in five cultured freshwater fish species collected from aquaculture ponds in Rajshahi, Bangladesh, and evaluates related environmental and human health risks. MPs were found in the gastrointestinal tracts and edible tissues of 96% and 88% of the sampled fish, respectively, with an average of 1.52 particles/g GIT and 0.54 particles/g flesh. Pangasius pangasius exhibited the highest MP levels. The most common types of MPs were blue fibers less than 1 mm in size. FTIR analysis identified that the MPs consisted of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The pollution load index (PLI) indicated significant MP contamination (PLI > 1). Heavy metal analysis showed elevated levels of Cr, Mn, Cd, and Pb in fish tissues, exceeding FAO/WHO guidelines. Human health risk assessments revealed non-carcinogenic risks (HI > 1) and carcinogenic risks (TCR > 1.0 × 10-4) from consuming fish. The Metal Pollution Index (MPI) ranked P. pangasius as the most contaminated species. Positive correlations between contaminant levels and fish size suggest that larger fish are more vulnerable. The findings emphasize the importance of improved waste management, pollution control, and ongoing monitoring to protect food safety and the environment.
Green Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles with Adhatoda Vasica: Antibacterial and Antioxidant Study
The burgeoning field of green nanotechnology has spurred the interest of researchers towards environmentally responsible nanoparticle production. In this study, Aradusi leaf extract was utilized for the synthesis of stable copper nanoparticles, subsequently functionalized with Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone (PVP) polymer. A comprehensive characterization of these biosynthesized nanoparticles was conducted using UV–Visible spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The UV–visible absorption spectra of bio-reduced copper nanoparticles were analyzed to assess their stability, while their antibacterial activity was evaluated against both gram-negative and gram-positive microbes. Additionally, their antioxidant potential was determined through DPPH free radical scavenging assays. Aradusi leaf extract demonstrated proficient reduction of copper ions into copper nanoparticles. Consequently, this methodology offers a rapid and environmentally benign route for the synthesis of stable copper nanoparticles exhibiting antibacterial and antioxidant activities within the size range of 10-100 nm, showcasing their potential applications in medical science.
Environmental Impact of Untreated Produced Water: Hydrocarbon Analysis from Sadqal Oil & Gas Field, Pakistan
Produce water without treatment from oil and gas fields causes contamination of the environment. This study was conducted to analyze the hydrocarbons present in produce water and soil of Sadqal Oil & Gas Field, Fateh Jhung, Pakistan. Sample points for produced water collection were identified and collected from outside the oil and gas field, from various locations including two ponds and their outgoing stream. While composite samples of soil were collected from adjacent pond area to analyze potential impacts of produce water on surrounding soils. Hydrocarbon analysis was conducted through GC-MS, area normalization method. Detailed analysis through GC-MS indicate that hydrocarbons i.e. saturated, unsaturated, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons were found in significant percentage in produce water and soil samples taken from outside oil and gas field. Saturated hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons found in a relatively higher percentage than unsaturated and cyclic hydrocarbons. Produce water samples without treatment contain average 46.86% saturated hydrocarbons and 38% aromatic hydrocarbons. While in soil samples unsaturated hydrocarbons present in the average percentage of 54.47% and aromatic hydrocarbons present in the average percentage concentration of 45.19%. In addition to these, unsaturated hydrocarbons were present in average percentage of 3.8% and 3.27% in water and soil, respectively while cyclic hydrocarbons were present in average percentage concentration of 1.54% and 7.21% in water and soil, respectively. Results reflect that continuous accumulation of hydrocarbons increased the concentration of hydrocarbons in soil lead to higher percentage concentration. Moreover, results suggest that care should be exercised in the disposal and release of produced water containing these organic substances into the environment because of the potential toxicity of many of these substances. To reduce environmental impact there is a need to provide proper treatment for the removal of hydrocarbons from produce water so that their impacts on soil can be reduced.
Elemental Composition of Moringa Oleifera Lam Seeds Using Calibration Free Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (CF-LIBS)
For centuries, medicinal plants have been widely used to treat numerous diseases. Given the extensive application of Moringa Oleifera Lam. in medicine, it is essential to understand its beneficial medicinal properties as well as any potentially toxic elements. In this study, we performed Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) analysis on Moringa oleifera Lam. seeds using a Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (ND: YAG) laser in ambient air at varying energies and delay times. Using LIBS, we determined the elemental composition of the seeds and quantified the concentrations of the observed elements via the Calibration-Free (CF)-LIBS technique. The analysis revealed the presence of carbon (C), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), potassium (K), aluminium (Al), strontium (Sr), silicon (Si), chromium (Cr), and lithium (Li), along with a molecular CN band. Among these, C, Ca, Na, Mg, Fe, and K were identified as major elements due to their higher concentrations, whereas Sr, Cr, Li, and Al were present in trace amounts. Additionally, we detected a well-defined H-alpha emission line. By analyzing the Stark-broadened line of calcium at 245.38 nm, we estimated the plasma temperature. The electron number density was computed using the Boltzmann plot method based on neutral calcium lines. Finally, we assessed the validity of the Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium (LTE) condition in the plasma.
Simulation Study of Groundwater Polluted by Landfill Leachate in Subsidence Areas
The subsidence caused by mining was used as domestic waste landfill, due to the lack of anti-seepage treatment at its bottom, the internal leachate not only contaminated the surface water, but also the goaf groundwater continuously. Therefore, taken the Datong landfill in Huainan, Anhui Province as an example, the similar simulation test was chosen to simulate the temporal variation of the concentration of pollutants in the goaf. The formed mechanism of leachate pollution of groundwater was also discussed. The results show that the leachate still caused serious pollution to groundwater after the closure of the landfill. Pollutants in groundwater mainly move from west to east under the action of convection-dispersion and adsorption. In the process of pollutant migration and diffusion from west to east, it is controlled by the boundary of the aquifer in the goaf, resulting in a large accumulation of pollutants at the end of the goaf and causing the high concentration of pollutants. In addition, due to the influence of geological environment in goaf, the pollution rate and concentration are constantly changing. The results of the test provide some reference for the groundwater remediation and treatment in the coal mine subsidence area.
Optimization of Silver Nanocluster Geometries: A Deep Reinforcement Learning Approach to Identifying the Most Stable Configurations in Ag15 Cluster
Silver nanoclusters (Ag15) are of huge interest due to their unique electronic, optical, and catalytic properties, which all strongly depend on their atomic geometries. Finding their most stable configurations is an important step toward understanding and exploiting such properties. Traditional optimization methods, including genetic algorithms and basin hopping, usually perform poorly for systems with complex potential energy surfaces. This paper reports on a Deep Reinforcement Learning based strategy to explore and optimize Ag15 clusters. We show that the navigation of the potential energy surface of such silver nanoclusters through deep reinforcement learning allows us to identify the most stable configurations more efficiently than through conventional methods. This method has been demonstrated to perform much better than previous approaches regarding computational efficiency and quality of the identified configurations, hence providing new insights into nanocluster stability.
A Comprehensive Review on exploring Fuel Cell Potential in Energy Sector
Fuel cells are emerging as a game-changing solution to address the pressing environmental and energy concerns caused by the transportation and industrial sectors, both of which are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. This review examines recent advancements in fuel cell technologies and their diverse applications, focusing on key types like Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs), Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFCs), Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells (PAFCs), Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs), and Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs). The fundamental principles, material requirements, and unique applications of each type are explored in detail, covering areas such as transportation, portable devices, stationary energy systems, and aeronautics. Fuel cells stand out for their high efficiency, minimal emissions, and adaptability to a wide range of energy needs. However, challenges remain, including high production costs, durability of materials, and effective hydrogen storage. This review highlights ongoing innovations aimed at overcoming these obstacles and emphasizes the transformative potential of fuel cells in supporting sustainable energy systems across various sectors.
Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Appraisal and Evaluation of Hydrogeochemical Processes in the Aquifer System of the South Eastern Coastal Area of Bangladesh
A hydrogeochemical study of groundwater in the aquifer system of the southeastern coastal area of Bangladesh was carried out to investigate the processes of groundwater hydrogeochemistry as well as the suitability of groundwater for drinking purposes. Water samples from tube wells (depths 6.5–165 m) were collected and examined for several water quality parameters to describe the hydrogeochemical characteristics. Most of the water samples were found to be fresh and soft water with few numbers of hard and brackish water. The overall sequence of cation and anion throughout the study area is Ca2+> Na+> Mg2+> K+ and HCO3− > CO3− > NO3− > SO42-> Cl−, respectively. Maximum water quality parameters satisfy the drinking water quality standard proposed by WHO. The piper diagram suggests that Ca2+-Mg2+-HCO3− (80%) and Ca2+-Na+-HCO3− (20%) facies are the predominant water types. Gibb's plot implies a rock-dominant inheritance that regulates the groundwater chemistry. The most significant hydrogeochemical processes in the study area are carbonate weathering. Correlation analysis recommends that TDS, EC, Na+, Ca2+, Cl−, and SO42− are strongly correlated with each other, indicating their contribution to water mineralization. The principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis show that weathering and leaching of parent rocks are the leading environmental sources that influence the groundwater hydrochemistry.
Heavy Metals Assessment in Different Fresh and Processed Tuber Crops Grown with Fresh and Sewage Water
The problems from heavy metals content increasing day by day over the world. Heavy metal contamination in vegetables has become a serious food safety concern in developing Asian countries, including Pakistan. Due to lack of clean water resources in many Asian countries, sewage water is frequently utilized to irrigate the crops, particularly in Pakistan. Irrigation of sewage water may increase the levels of heavy metals in such soil, which eventually transfer to crops. In humans, these metals induce a variety of illnesses, i.e. cancer. In this study, the concentrations of heavy metals (As, Pb, Cd, Hg, Co and Cr) in raw and processed tuber vegetables irrigated with ground water and sewage water were compared utilizing a wet digesting method. Different levels of heavy metals in raw, oven baked, air fried and deep-fried vegetables have been evaluated. Results showed higher levels of heavy metals in vegetables grown with sewage water and were above the permissible limits. It also shows that different processing methods had a significant effect on the level of heavy metals but was unable to reduce it to the safe limit designated by FAO and WHO. Maximum level of percentage decrease of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) was found in deep fried vegetables.
Synthesis, Characterization and Antitrypanosomal Activity Of Metal Complexes Of 2-{(E)-[(4-Bromophenyl)imino]methyl}phenol
The current study investigates the Antileishmanial and cytotoxic activity of synthesized Schiff base ligand 2-{(E)-[(4-bromophenyl)imino]methyl}phenol and their Metal complexes prepared by reflux process. Various metal salt is used in complexation like Zn, Cu, Ni, Co and the synthesized compounds is studied structurally with chromatographic technique and checked their solubility in THF, DMSO and CH3COCH3. Such compounds show good Anti-leishmanial activity with no Cytotoxicity which exhibited scarcer negative impacts and could serve as effective substances in Antileishmanial and Cytotoxicity.
Synthesis and Photoluminescent Study of Dy Doped Ca3Gd2(BO3)4 Phosphors
The synthesis and photoluminescence study of Dysprosium (Dy) doped Calcium Gadolinium Borate Ca3Gd2(BO3)4:Dy3+ are presented in this research. The aim of this study was to investigate the optical properties and potential applications of Dy-doped Calcium Gadolinium Borate as a luminescent material. The samples with Dy+3 doping have been synthesized by the solid state reaction method at varying concentration of Dy+3 ions. The phase purity of the synthesized samples was confirmed from the X-ray diffraction where single phase orthorhombic structure was obtained. The UV excitation photoluminescence spectra of synthesized samples and emission peaks referring to the energy transition of Dy+3 ions are identified. Here, different emission intensities and the shift in the peaks position with reference to change in the Dy+3 concentration were analyzed, and the maximum luminescence intensity was observed at the best dopant concentration. This is made evident from this concentration-dependent behavior which suggests that energy transfer from the host lattice to Dy+3 ions is highly efficient. Therefore, the present work is a successful path towards Dy-doped Calcium Gadolinium Borate as a luminescent material. Due to its property this material seems to have good application potential in solid-state lighting, display and opto-sensing.
Fabrication and Analysis of BaTiO3-Nb2O5 Ceramics for Advanced Energy Storage Applications
As the demand for high-performance energy storage systems surges, dielectric materials have emerged as frontrunners due to their exceptional power density. Yet, their relatively low energy density has long been a bottleneck for practical deployment. This study breaks new ground by addressing this limitation, focusing on the enhancement of Barium Titanate-based ceramics for energy storage through the strategic incorporation of Niobium Oxide (Nb2O5). By investigating the effects of Nb2O5 on 0.98BT-0.02BMC ceramics, we unlock unprecedented improvements in both dielectric and energy storage properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals the stability of a single perovskite phase across all compositions, paving the way for reliable performance. Most strikingly, the x = 4 composition delivers a groundbreaking dielectric constant (~2200) alongside a remarkable energy density of 1.40 J/cm3 and a recoverable energy density of 1.10 J/cm3, achieving an efficiency of 78.8%. These extraordinary results propel the material to the forefront of next-generation energy storage technologies, making it a powerhouse for high-demand applications such as power pulse systems. With its unparalleled combination of high energy density, exceptional efficiency, and long-term stability, this material holds the promise to redefine energy storage solutions, setting new benchmarks in both performance and reliability.
Green Synthesis and Photoluminesce Study of Dy Doped CaCO3
In this study, we used water-soluble polysaccharides from melon to develop a new green method for the biological production of calcium carbonate crystals. SEM, FT-IR spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffractometry were used to examine the resulting crystals. The host material is prepared with the amount of 5.549gm CaCl2 and 5.2994gm Na2CO3. In the sintering process, the sample is subjected to its melting temperature in a furnace and then cooled evenly. The phosphor CaCO3 is doped with differing proportions of Dy and SEM micrographs validate the material's nanostructure, which is essential for luminescence. By Dy doping with CaCO3, then crystal structure of a molecule shows prominent XRD peaks. In UV photoluminescence spectra, the greatest emission peak is at 578nm while slake curve shows that for 3 mol% Dy concentrations, show higher luminescence intensity. As the Dy concentration rises over 3 mol%, the brightness intensity decreases due to quenching phenomena.
Efficiency of Electrocoagulation for Laboratory Wastewater Treatment Using Aluminum Electrodes
Environmental analysis of waste generated from residual samples in a testing laboratory is necessary to mitigate its impact. This study aims to assess the performance of electrocoagulation (EC) using aluminum (Al) electrodes in reducing Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solid (TSS), and pH level in laboratory wastewater. This investigation successfully employed an EC process utilizing Al electrodes in both anode and cathode configurations. The experimental conditions include Voltage (10, and 20 V), contact time (15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes), and the electrode configuration (monopolar and bipolar). The results indicated that a bipolar configuration of Al electrode relatively outperformed a monopolar configuration. Optimal condition was achieved at 20 V, and contact time of 60 minutes. Results showed COD removal efficiency up to 96.15% reducing COD from 627.45 to 24.183 mg/L, TSS removal efficiency up to 92.45%, lowering TSS from 53 to 4 mg/L. While pH increased during the process, it remained within acceptable limits. This substantial reduction in pollutants significantly improved water quality, surpassing regulatory standards. The results suggest that EC is a promising approach for achieving sustainable treatment for laboratory wastewater.
Secondary Metabolites Screening Using GC-MS and In-Vitro Biological Assessment Against Human Pathogenic Bacterial Strains of Viola Indica
Viola indica, a medicinal herb with a long history of traditional use in treating various diseases. In this study we analyzed methanolic extract of Viola indica for metabolite composition using GC-MS, and antibacterial activity through disc diffusion method. In GC-MS analysis, we found total of 25 metabolites in which the major metabolites were 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)- (20%; 20.34 min), followed by Stigmasterol, 22,23-dihydro- (16%; 26 min) and α-Amyrin (12.38%; 26.65 min) . In antibacterial activity viola indica methanolic extract showed significant antibacterial effects against all bacterial strains. The highest antibacterial activity was recorded against Bacillus subtilis (8.50±0.20 mm), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (8.10±0.25 mm) zone of inhibition, while the lowest was recorded against Staphylococcus aureus (2.10±0.30 mm). The result of this study suggests that viola indica has potent antibacterial metabolites with good potential as a natural alternative to synthetic antibacterial agents. However, this study also suggest that more instrumental and biological research is required to explore it’s in-depth phytochemistry, pharmacological potential and toxicological properties.
Computational Docking Studies of Phenyl Acetic Acid Derivatives with Biological Targets, DNA, Protein and Enzyme
Phenyl acetic acid (PAA) is a well-known biomolecule used in antibiotics and drugs. To elucidate the binding modes of PAA and its derivatives with DNA, Pim kinase protein, and urease enzymes, molecular docking studies were conducted. The results revealed that PAA and its derivatives intercalate with DNA, disrupting its structure and potentially affecting replication, transcription, and repair processes. The 3-chloro-PAA showed the highest docking score (-7.809) and significant polar interactions with DNA residues. For Pim kinase, the compounds exhibited polar interactions with key residues, with 2-propyl PAA demonstrating notable inhibitory effects. Similarly, PAA derivatives interacted effectively with urease enzymes, with the 4-propyl-PAA showing a strong docking score (-8.5250). Overall, the meta-substituted PAAs exhibited superior binding interactions compared to ortho and para-substituted derivatives, suggesting their potential as effective inhibitors for these biological targets.
Effect of Polyethylene Glycol Concentration on the Structural and Mechanical Properties of Polysulfone-Based Membranes
Water pollution in Indonesia is a growing concern, necessitating the development of advanced treatment technologies. Membrane-based filtration, a promising approach due to its low energy consumption and ability to preserve material properties, has been explored. Polysulfone (PSf), a commonly used membrane material, is known for its thermal stability, chemical resistance, and mechanical strength. However, its hydrophobic nature limits its filtration performance. To enhance hydrophilicity and porosity, polyethylene glycol (PEG) is introduced as a hydrophilic additive. This study investigated the synthesis of PSf/PEG composite membranes with varying PEG concentrations (0%, 9%, and 14%) using the phase inversion method. Characterization of the membranes revealed that increasing PEG content led to thinner membranes with higher porosity, density, and swelling capacity. While Membrane-A (100% PSf) exhibited the highest tensile strength, Membrane-B (9% PEG) demonstrated the greatest elongation. SEM analysis confirmed that higher PEG concentrations resulted in larger and more numerous pores, forming asymmetric structures suitable for filtration. FTIR analysis verified the successful integration of PEG into the PSf matrix. The findings highlight the potential of PEG-modified PSf membranes for industrial wastewater treatment. The M-C membrane, containing 14% PEG, exhibited the highest swelling degree, indicating improved hydrophilicity and permeability. However, increased PEG content also led to decreased tensile strength. The optimized M-C membrane, with a density of 0.9906 g/cm³, a mass of 1.9249 g, and a thickness of 102 µm, meets the requirements for effective water treatment applications. This research contributes to the development of sustainable membrane technologies for environmental management in Indonesia. By addressing the limitations of PSf membranes, PSf/PEG composite membranes offer a promising solution to water pollution challenges in the region.
Biosynthesis, Characterization, Antibacterial Activities, and Photocatalysis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Allium Ambelloprasum (leeks) Leaves Extract
The biosynthesis of nanomaterials using phytochemicals found in plants has attracted a lot of interest and is gaining traction as a viable alternative to traditional chemical processes. In the current work, we used the aqueous leaf extract of Allium ampeloprasum (leek) as a reducing and stabilizing agent for the simple bio-fabrication of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs), owing to its alkaloids, coumarins, and flavonoids. Several methods, including, XRD, SEM, EDX, FT-IR, TEM, UV-visible spectroscopy, and TGA, were used to analyze the characteristics of the bio-fabricated ZnO-NPs. An XRD study revealed that ZnO-NPs had a monoclinic structure with a crystallite dimension of 25.75 nm. The spherical structure of ZnO-NPs is confirmed by TEM and SEM morphological pictures, and their dispersion across surfaces shows decreased agglomerations. ZnO-NPs had a significant optical absorbance in the UV area at 368 nm and a large bandgap, indicating surface oxygen vacancies and charge carriers. The existence of Zn and O elements, as well as their Zn bonds, was identified using EDX and FT-IR spectroscopy. The photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) dye was studied using UV light irradiation, with a maximum degradation efficiency of 90.13% attained after 120 minutes of irradiation. Gram-positive Gram-negative bacteria and E. coli ZnO-NPs were tested against S.ococcus aureus, which showed the maximum zone inhibition (15.01 ± 0.85 mm) compared to E. coli (13.34 ± 0.04 mm). Thus, the degradation efficiency for MB dye and the zone inhibition results for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria indicate that the bio-fabricated ZnO-NPs from A. ampeloprasum (leek) leaves may have biological and environmental uses.
Lagerstroemia speciosa (Banaba) seed as a new and prospective bioenergy resource
Bio-oil, a highly valuable product obtained from biomass pyrolysis after proper up-gradation and refining, can be utilised in a variety of downstream applications which is gaining attention to the researcher from last few decades. Extraction and fractionation are two viable techniques to upgrade bio-oil those divide the complex mixture of bio-oil compounds into distinct fine chemicals and fractions enriched classes of chemical compounds. In the current investigation, a new biomass plant (Lagerstroemia speciosa) seed, commonly known as Banaba underwent thermo-chemical conversion at four terminal temperatures viz., 350 0C, 450 0C, 550 0C and 650 0C with a rate of heating 10 0C/min. The highest bio-oil yield (59.36 % out of that 41.68 % is of oil phase) was attained at pyrolysis temperature of 550 °C. The optimum condensable liquid (bio-oil) was collected and analysed. Properties of Banaba were investigated by physico-chemical, biochemical, ultimate analysis, TGA/DTG and FTIR analysis. Characterization of condensable liquid (bio-oil) was investigated by FTIR, NMR and GC-MS. Fuel property of the condensable liquid was further analysed through flash point, pour point, viscosity, Calorific value, and ultimate analysis. The Hydrogen/Carbon molar ratio (1.49) of the bio-oil was determined to be on a level with petroleum-based diesel. The oil derived from Banaba is found to have considerable fuel properties and may be substituted for commercial fuel with chemical modification or through blending with conventional diesel for utilization in IC engine which need to be addressed further.
Sequencing Initial Conditions in Physics-Informed Neural Networks
The scientific machine learning (SciML) field has introduced a new class of models called physics-informed neural networks (PINNs). These models incorporate domain-specific knowledge as soft constraints on a loss function and use machine learning techniques to train the model. Although PINN models have shown promising results for simple problems, they are prone to failure when moderate level of complexities are added to the problems. We demonstrate that the existing baseline models, in particular PINN and evolutionary sampling (Evo), are unable to capture the solution to differential equations with convection, reaction, and diffusion operators when the imposed initial condition is non-trivial. We then propose a promising solution to address these types of failure modes. This approach involves coupling Curriculum learning with the baseline models, where the network first trains on PDEs with simple initial conditions and is progressively exposed to more complex initial conditions. Our results show that we can reduce the error by 1 – 2 orders of magnitude with our proposed method compared to regular PINN and Evo.
Properties of Electrode Materials and Electrolytes in Supercapacitor Technology
This thorough review article offers a cutting-edge analysis of the essential characteristics and developments in electrode materials and electrolytes for supercapacitor technology. We start by going over the basics of supercapacitors and how important characterization methods like electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, galvanostatic charge-discharge, and cyclic voltammetry work. Specific capacitance, energy, and power densities, three essential characteristics that are crucial for assessing supercapacitor performance, are carefully covered in this work. We also analyze the many kinds of capacitors, including hybrid supercapacitors, electric double-layer capacitors, pseudocapacitors, and supercapacitors, and explain their working principles and material-specific characteristics. The study highlights the importance of metal oxides and hydroxides, carbon-based materials, conductive polymers, and novel and hybrid materials such as MXenes and metal-organic frameworks. The special qualities of each material class, such as large surface area, electrical conductivity, and particular redox properties, are highlighted in this section. These qualities are crucial for maximizing the performance of supercapacitors. The topic of electrode materials is discussed in detail, including their benefits and the difficulties and chances to improve energy storage, stability, and affordability. Parallel to this, the study thoroughly examines various electrolyte kinds, a sometimes overlooked yet essential part of supercapacitor technology. Discussed include ionic conductivity, operating voltage windows, safety profiles, and electrochemical stability of aqueous, organic, ionic liquid, gel, and solid-state electrolytes. This paper highlights the relationship between supercapacitor performance and electrolyte type, explaining how electrolyte selection affects total energy density, power density, and operational longevity. This review article covers supercapacitor technology in detail and with a wide scope and is an invaluable resource. It is a fundamental work for scholars and practitioners new to the area. It offers sophisticated insights that may encourage creativity and application-specific advancement in this quickly changing field. The study presents a comprehensive analysis of the present and future developments in supercapacitor materials and technology, establishing it as a vital resource in the continuous search for cutting-edge energy storage solutions.
0D-3D Superstructure of Biocarbon with FeCl3-Assisted for Electrochemical Symmetrical Supercapacitor
Biomass materials exhibit a diversity of macrostructures that can be derived or developed into various 0D-3D nanoscale structural designs with various different dimensions such as spherical, nanofiber, tubular, nanosheet, hierarchical, nanosphere, and honeycomb structures, when converted into activated carbon. This research converts oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber biomass into supercapacitor carbon material by optimizing the chemical activation process by varying the activating reagent. The active carbon conversion process includes precarbonization stages, chemical activation (KOH, FeCl3, and ZnCl2), carbonization, and physical activation. The resulting electrode was confirmed to have a morphology with a 0D to 3D structure (nanosphere, nanofiber and nanopore) due to the FeCl3 activator, so the resulting surface area was high (517.998 m/g). Biomass was successfully converted into carbon which was confirmed through through the resulting physical and electrochemical properties. The electrochemical performance of the sample supercapacitor cell was analyzed in a symmetric two-electrode system in 1 M H2SO4 electrolyte solution. The FeCl3-activated samples shows the highest specific capacitance of 256 F/g at a scan rate of 1 mV/s. In addition, oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber biomass is a potential raw material, as a carbon material for supercapacitor cells with high performance.
Simulation for migration and treatment of groundwater contamination in coal mining subsidence area: A case study of Datong dump, Huainan, China
The liquid that seeps into the earth from landfills and removes garbage is called landfill leachate. Pollutants like organic and inorganic chemicals, xenobiotic substances, etc. are found in landfill leachate which contaminates groundwater. To study the contamination and treatment of landfill leachate to groundwater, Datong landfill was selected as a target zone. Samples of monitoring wells in the landfill site, the eastern collapse pond, and wells in groundwater from the goaf were tested and analyzed for TDS, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen (DO). To simulate all processes, various modules were built under different conditions. It was found that the leachate not only had polluted surface water but also groundwater. The simulation results showed that the pollution plume expanded spatially and temporally, mainly flowing from west to east and spreading to the north-south direction and reverse flow direction due to the low water level between the east and west sides. Anti-seepage walls and pumping-injection methods were used to control the migration and diffusion of pollution from landfill leachate. The simulation results also showed that both methods were effective in reducing the concentration and range of pollution plumes which would provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of pollutants in the Datong landfill site.
Seasonal Variation of Fe, Mn, and Pb in Groundwater of Northwestern Bangladesh
Groundwater is one of the most significant natural resources on earth and also stands as the largest source of all-purpose water in Bangladesh. The higher concentrations of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and lead (Pb) in water constitute a threat to human health and the environment. The research aimed to assess the seasonal variations of heavy metal concentrations, including Fe, Mn, and Pb, and the water type controlling the geochemistry of groundwater. A total of sixty groundwater samples were collected over a year in three seasons and analyzed for several physicochemical parameters using the standard analysis methods The highest concentrations of Fe, Mn, and Pb in investigated groundwater samples were found to be 3.69, 2.50, and 0.17 mg/L, respectively. The study observed that the higher concentrations of Fe and Mn were in the pre-monsoon but Pb was in the post-monsoon. The contaminations of Fe, Mn, and Pb in the groundwater follows the order Fe > Mn > Pb in three seasons, and their concentrations of abundance follow the seasons: PRM > POM > MON. The groundwater samples showed the dominance of Ca++, Mg++, and HCO3-, indicating temporary hardness and the Ca-Mg-HCO3, hydrochemical facies, controlling the groundwater geochemistry in the study area. These findings would provide an in-depth understanding of water quality, potential risks to human health, and coping mechanisms for sustainable drinking water management.
Synthesis, Spectroscopy and Biological Studies of Copper and Silver Complexes Derived from 2-Substituted Amino Propanoic Acid
Synthesis of copper and silver complexes were prepared from novel Schiff base ligand. These synthesized ligand and their metal complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1H NMR, UV-Vis and Mass spectrometry. The coordination of amino nitrogen, phenolic oxygen, and carboxylato oxygen atoms is shown by the infrared spectra.The Schiff bases and its complexes were screened for their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal studies against the bacteria Pseudomonas Aeruginosa (PA, Gram -ve), Bacillus Cirroflagellosus (BC, Gram +ve), Penicillium Notatium (PN) and Aspergillus Niger (AN) strains. The results of the antibacterial investigation show that the copper and silver complexes possess more potent bactericide and fungicide properties than the ligand.
Application of Nanostructured Materials for the Remediation of Microbes Contaminated Water and Sustainable Water Treatment
Regardless of whether pollution originates from inorganic sources such as heavy metals, or organic waste such as industrial discharges; it poses a grave threat toward human health and environmental equilibrium. Air and water quality, soil health, ecosystem integrity—all can suffer negative impacts due to these pollutants with far-reaching effects on both public health and our surroundings. To alleviate this pervasive problem effectively: comprehensive strategies must be implemented that encompass strict regulatory measures; advocate for sustainable industrial practices – promoting environmentally conscious behaviors is also key, and recent decades have seen a marked rise in pollutants in water sources. Human existence depends on having access to clean water, yet numerous sources are now seriously contaminated. Fortunately, using several cutting-edge methods, nanotechnology provides intriguing and useful options for wastewater cleaning. Numerous pollutants, including germs, sediments, and dangerous chemicals like Mercury and Arsenic, may be removed using nanotechnology. The development of wastewater treatment alternatives is being aided by cutting-edge nanotechnology, which has the potential to improve the reuse of water, recycling, and restoration. This not only improves the quality and durability of the water over the long term, but also assures future generations will have access to it. Diverse procedures and strategies are now used in the field of water purification, many of which use nanomaterials. Nanofiltration is a particularly effective and straightforward technique. Low pressure water is used in this method to flow through nanofiltration filters; these filters may be quickly cleaned by simply back-flushing. Utilizing carbon nanotubes, which are recognized for their efficiency in eliminating a wide range of water contaminants because of their incredibly smooth interiors, is another benefit of nanofiltration. When compared to traditional microstructure materials, nanostructured materials, such as Ag (silver), Au (gold), metal oxides, and CNTs (carbon nanotubes), provide several advantages in the purification of water. They are excellent alternatives for tackling the urgent problems caused by water contamination because of their increased surface area and exceptional qualities. In conclusion, the use of nanomaterials in water filtration, such as Ag, Au, metal oxides, and CNTs, marks a huge step towards protecting our planet's most valuable resource. We can create a sustainable future where everyone has access to clean, secure drinking water by using the potential of nanotechnology.
Plant Extract Mediated Biogenic Synthesis and Characterization of Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles and its Environmental and Antibacterial Applications
This research focuses on the green synthesis of Nickel Oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs) using Musa paradisiaca, commonly known as banana plant, as a cost-effective and eco-friendly approach. Musa paradisiaca, utilized in traditional medicine, possesses various medicinal properties, including antioxidant, antibiotic, allogeneic, and hypoglycemic antimicrobial attributes. The peduncle extract of Musa paradisiaca serves as a reducing and capping agent for NiO nanoparticle synthesis. Characterization techniques such as XRD, EDX, and UV-vis spectroscopy were employed to analyze the properties of the synthesized NiO nanoparticles. XRD analysis confirmed an average grain size of 15.26nm, while SEM images revealed round cubic-shaped nanoparticles with a highly crystalline structure. The antibacterial activity of NiO nanoparticles was investigated against bacterial strains, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bordetella bronchiectasis, and Bacillus subtilis, demonstrating effective antibacterial properties. Furthermore, the catalytic power of the synthesized nanoparticles was evaluated through the degradation of methyl blue and methyl orange dyes under sunlight and UV light. The results indicated superior degradation efficiency under sunlight compared to UV light for both dyes. Additionally, the study explored the adsorption activity of NiO nanoparticles for chromium (VI) at various concentrations, with the best adsorption percentage recorded at 17.23% under pH 4.
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Recovery Optimization of Plant Derived Antioxidants And Their Incorporation in Cosmetic Creams to Enhance Antioxidant Potential
Plants waste is enriched with valuable antioxidants. Extraction optimization, quantification of Total phenolic content (TPC) and evaluation of their anti-aging potential was the prime goal of this research study. Lime, Neem, Radish leaves, and carrot pulp were extracted with two types of solvents under various extraction conditions. The highest TPC were extracted through boiling water (2-3min) for all plant materials as follow: Neem leaves (112.3mg GAE/g), Lime leaves (108.5mg GAE/g), Radish leaves (76.02mg GAE/g) and Carrot pulp (65.84mg GAE/g); Highest free radical scavenging activities were achieved in Neem Leaves (92.82%), Lime leaves (92.34%), Radish leaves (87.4%) and Carrot Pulp (81.22%) under different extraction conditions. Water as extraction solvent yielded greater TPC values than ethanol. Upon the addition of phytoextracts, a substantial increase in the antioxidant activity of the cream samples was detected. Upon loading 2% lime extract, one cream sample exhibited a rise in TPC content from 1.8 to 54.05mg GAE/g and antioxidant activity from 19.34% to 95.35%. Cream samples infused with phytoextracts also showed notable antimicrobial activities. Conclusively, waste derived phytoextracts can be cost-effectively utilized in formulation of skin anti-aging creams.
Experimental and Theoretical Aspects of MXenes-Based Energy Storage and Energy Conversion Devices
Transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides (MXenes) have become an appealing framework for developing various energy applications. MXenes with van der Waals (vdW) interactions are facile, highly efficient, affordable, and self-assembled features that improve energy density. MXenes exhibit large surface area, high electric conductivity, and excellent electrochemical characteristics for various energy applications. This review summarizes and emphasizes the current developments in MXene with improved performance for energy storage or conversion devices, including supercapacitors (SCs), various types of rechargeable batteries (RBs), solar cells, and fuel cells. We discuss the crystal structures of MXenes properties of MXenes and briefly discuss them for different types of energy applications. Finally, the critical outlook and perspective for the MXene progress for applications in energy applications are also described.
Sustainable Catalysis: Navigating Challenges and Embracing Opportunities for a Greener Future
Catalysis plays a crucial role in sustainable chemistry, as demonstrated in this review article. The introduction highlights the importance of catalysis in sustainability and summarizes catalysis research. In this review, we discussed sustainable catalysis, including green chemistry, sustainable catalysis criteria, and catalytic reactions. These examples demonstrate CO2 conversion, alcohol dehydrogenation, alkene oxidation, and biomass-to-biofuel conversion using zeolites. This study also examines sustainable catalysis difficulties like stability, synthesis, design, recovery, reuse, scale-up, and commercialization. Sustainable catalysis can be achieved via bio-inspired catalysts, renewable energy sources, nano-catalysis methods, computational methods, and innovative catalysts developed for sustainable chemistry. This study also includes sustainable catalysis case studies for CO2, biomass, water treatment, and renewable energy conversion. The review finishes with sustainable catalysis research directions. These directions include studying metal-free catalysis, integrating catalysis with other sustainable fuel cell technologies, implementing sustainable catalysis in industry, and its environmental and societal impacts. The topic covers photocatalysis, heterogeneous catalysis, and electrocatalysis, highlighting their environmental and economic effects. This comprehensive study of sustainable catalysis shows its potential to transform chemical reactions while emphasizing environmental and social concerns, improving green chemistry.
Physio-chemical and Thermal Characterization of Demineralized Poultry Litter using Mechanical Sizing Fractioning, Acid Solvents, and Deionized Water
Poultry litter is an organic waste composed of manure, feathers, and bedding, containing both organic and inorganic elements. Inorganic elements corrode and agglomerate the reactors when poultry litter is thermally converted to biochar, bio-oil or combusted. Demineralizing poultry litter through mechanical size fractioning, acid solvent, and deionized water can decrease the inorganic elements' composition. This study investigates to identify the effects of different demineralization methods on the physio-chemical and thermal characteristics of poultry litter. Statistical analysis (p-value of 0.001) showed that the pretreatment methods reduced the inorganic elements. Mechanically fractioned poultry litter with particle sizes of 1.19-2.36mm and 2.37-5.00mm showed a low inorganic element composition of 7.85% and 9.19% when demineralized. The acid solvent and PL:DI treatments varied their extraction effectiveness depending on the type of inorganic element removed, ranging from 9.65-11.73% of the total inorganic element composition. PL:AcOH treatment had the lowest ash content at 6.89% from 12.33%. Mechanical size fractioned samples had the lowest moisture content, ranging from 2.53% to 4.65%. All the samples had high fixed carbon content except for PL:<1.18mm sample. Volatile matter for PL: AcOH, PL: DI, and PL:2.37-5.00mm samples were higher than the UT: PL and other treated samples. The treated samples noted a low C, high O, S, N, H/C, and O/C and comparable H content with UT: PL sample. Removal of inorganic elements increased the sample's high heating value, with the PL:2.37-5.00mm sample having the highest at 17.60 MJ Kg-1. The FTIR spectra of the demineralized sample revealed a reduction in the transmittance band, indicating the decomposition of the cellulose and hemicellulose structures. TGA-DTG supported the findings by noting a shift in temperature increase with peak temperatures higher than UT: PL sample samples. The degradation occurred at temperatures up to 380°C, noting the degradation of the cellulose and hemicellulose structure of the demineralized poultry litter.
Elemental Mercury Removal from Natural Gas Using Nano-Tio2
The study focused on the utilization of titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a photo-catalyst for the treatment of natural gas contaminated with elemental mercury (Hg0). The catalyst was carefully characterized using various physical techniques, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) , and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The results clearly demonstrated that TiO2 exhibited outstanding efficacy in oxidizing Hg0 when exposed to UV light. This phenomenon was ascribed to the excitation of photoelectrons within the valence band, leading to their transfer to the conduction band, generating photo-induced electrons that acted as reactive agents responsible for converting Hg0 into HgO. Notably, the activity of TiO2 under UV-visible light was significantly lower compared to TiO2 under UV light. The overall findings indicated that TiO2 under UV light exhibited the highest removal capacity, measured at 31.74 µg/g, followed by TiO2 under UV-visible light at 25.91 µg/g, and TiO2 in the dark at 20.89 µg/g. The study underscores the promising potential of TiO2 photo-catalyst for effectively eliminating Hg0 contamination in natural gas.
Removal of Cr6+ from Synthetic Polluted Water using Fe Modified Sugarcane Bagasse & Peanut shell Powder
Unprocessed waste is dumped in lakes and rivers which possess a severe environmental risk through heavy metal’s contamination within the food chain, especially chromium Cr6+. It applies for sustainable development goals by using green solid waste as a precursor. This research mainly focuses upon the analysis of time effect for Cr6+ removal by FeCl3 modified biochar using sugarcane bagasse and peanut shell powder as biomass. Adsorbent preparation was done using Bench-Scale Fixed Bed Reactor (B-SFBR) and Cr6+ was found using the calorimetric method. Characterization was done by BET, SEM-EDX, and FTIR. The highest Cr6+ percentage removal was achieved by Modified Peanut shell Powder with 99.97% removal upon pH 2, shaking time 180 mints, speed = 150 rpm, dosage 0.3 g, Cr6+ conc 20 mg/L. Percentage Removal by Modified SB was 98.96% with Cr6+ conc 20 mg/L, dosage 0.3 g, pH 2, shaking speed 150 rpm, time 180 mints. Hence, the present experimental research concludes that FeCl3 modified peanut shell powder shows greater Cr6+ removal efficiency up to 99.97 %.
Characterization of Paper Mill Effluent and Its Impacts on the Environment
The study aimed to characterize paper mill effluents and determine the quality of surface water in the vicinity of the paper mills using a water quality index to understand the pollution level due to the discharge of untreated effluents. Physicochemical parameters and CCME (Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment) Water Quality Index (WQI) were used to estimate the degree of pollution in the selected paper mills area in Bogura District of Bangladesh. Moreover, a public perception survey was conducted in the study area to illustrate the present scenario regarding paper mill effluent discharge. The analytical results revealed that the concentrations of TSS, EC, COD, BOD5, phenols, K, and NO3 – N were higher than the permissible limit, and the DO level was below the ECR 1997 standard. However, there was no concentrations of heavy metals exceeded the permissible level. The FTIR analysis showed the presence of several toxic pollutants, including lignin, phenol, and halo compound. The CCME WQI showed that sites S-1 and S-2 were ranked as marginal, while site S-3 was ranked as fair. The study observed that the discharge of untreated paper mill effluent has the potential to cause harm to aquatic life and the environment.
Evaluation of the Physical Properties of Various Biomass Materials for the Production of Activated Carbon
This study aims to produce activated carbon (AC) from different biomass sources using chemical activation; characterize the AC using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), proximate and ultimate analysis; and compare the results from the AC produced. The biomass blends of rice husk & groundnut shell (RH-GS), cocoa nut shell & saw dust (CS-SD) and sugar cane bagasse & banana peel (SB-BP) were used for the preparation of AC. The samples were first characterized using proximate and ultimate analysis, SEM, and FTIR spectroscopy. The results of the BG-SD sample characterization showed that the blend produced the best results in terms of absorptive capacity. It is suggested that surface area difficulties with the ACs be investigated in order to improve their porosity and adsorption capacities.
Unraveling the Challenges of Oxidative Stability and Methods for Assessing Oxidation of Commercial Oils: A Review
Edible oils are among the most crucial nutritional constituents as these are utilized for frying or cuisine. Though, these oils are prone towards oxidative deterioration from manufacturing to transportation due to environmental exposure as well as storage conditions which result in generation of different types of oxidation products. The generation of primary and secondary products result in harmful impacts on human health and may also result in cardiovascular diseases in consumers. The mechanism of oxidative deterioration cannot be assessed easily due to complexity of the reaction under which it may take place. Different types of approaches have been proposed to determine the products generated as a result of oxidation so that safety for their user can be assured. Different types of analytical techniques can be employed in addition to chemical methods so that analysis of oxidative deterioration can be done completely. The proposed study is aimed to assess the oxidative stability of oils in addition to the factors which can influence oxidation of these oils under different conditions. This review also summarize the classical and advanced state of the art analytical techniques which has recently been developed in different possible ways and effectively can be employed for analysis of oxidative deterioration of edible oils. This article possibly will oblige as a reference in the assortment, establishing, and enhancement of approaches for investigating the oxidative stability of edible oil.
First Principles study of Silver Argyrodites-structured compounds A8BC6 (A=Ag; B=Si, Ge; C=Te) for Opto-electronic application
The structural and optical properties of a material are studied using Density Functional Theory. By the method of full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) silver argyrodites Ag8SiTe6 and Ag8GeTe6 has been investigated. To obtain stable geometry of A8BC6 materials, the energy minimization approach is applied. The Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA) approach is used to optimize the crystal structure of the Argyrodites materials. All these compounds crystalize in a cubic unit cell with lattice constant increasing from 12.13 Å (Si) to 12.28 Å (Ge). The mBJ-functional shows a semiconducting nature Ag8SiTe6 for and metallic nature for Ag8GeTe6 of these compounds with an indirect band gap lying at the L-X symmetry points with a band gap of 0.24 eV (Si) and 0.0068 eV (Ge) to obtain the optical properties such as refractive index, complex dielectric constant with real and imaginary part of dielectric function, and other optical properties are discussed. Effective mass of electrons is smaller than those of holes resulting in higher carrier mobility for electrons. Due their direct band gap, these Argyrodites materials could be particularly useful in optoelectronic devices.
Synthesis of bimetallic iron ferrite and its applications in alcohol fuel cell
Fuel cell is a clean, safe, eco-friendly source of energy as an alternative to already existing energy resources like incineration of fossil fuel. Efficiency of fuel cell is high when platinum is used as an electrode material for both anode and cathode. However, it is very expensive metal. Bimetallic Iron Ferrite (BMIF) has shown better EOR activity considering onset potential, mass activity when compared with noble metal catalyst but it is economical as compared to Pt. XRD reveals the conformation of BMIF and its purity. FTIR before and after electrochemical analysis has confirmed the retainment of its structure. However, it hasn’t shown good activity for MOR in any parameter i-e Tafel slope value, mass activity and onset potential comparatively.
Identification of Sources and Mobilization of Trace Elements in Shallow Groundwater of the Upper Ganges River Basin
The concentration of trace metals in groundwater is still not within the usual standards established by the national and international monitoring authorities. This study aims to evaluate the sources and distribution of trace metals in the shallow aquifer water of the Ganges River basin in the Bangladesh area. A total of 40 groundwater samples were collected and investigated for 11 trace elements and some selected water parameters followed by sophisticated methods. The results presented that three metals, viz. Fe, Mn, and Pb crossed the limit of WHO standard in most of the samples (70-100%), representing severe human health hazards. Besides, the samples are slightly acidic to basic and highly mineralized by divalent cations and bicarbonate because total hardness was found very high. To assess factors affecting the trace metal loads in groundwater samples and determine their possible sources and mobility, multivariate statistical techniques, including Pearson’s correlation coefficient, principal components analysis, and dendrogram cluster analysis are performed. Results revealed that sources of trace elements were identified to be geologic and little from human activities, i.e., application of agrochemicals, excess water mining, and industrial wastewater. It was recognized that the elevated concentration of trace elements in samples was caused by geogenic factors rather than manmade activities. Groundwater in this area poses a large threat due to high levels of trace metals, without any purification, it is essential to avoid this water for drinking. It advised that the groundwater quality should be constantly monitored for sustainable water quality management in the study zone.
Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Drinking Water of Tribal Districts Ex-FATA Pakistan
This study was conducted to evaluate the six heavy metals zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), and cadmium (Cd) in seven water samples collected from seven tribal districts (Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, South Waziristan and North Waziristan) from Ex-FATA Pakistan. All samples were digested using the wet digestion method and the digested samples were analyzed for heavy metals using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results from water samples from seven districts were compared to the recommended standard value from the World Health Organization and the Environmental Protection Agency. The results obtained from the analysis for nickel (Ni) showed that the highest concentration (0.093 mg/l) was reported in the water of Khyber district, while the lowest concentration (0.011 mg/l) was found in the water of South Orakzai district. Iron (Fe) had the highest concentration (0.32 mg/l) in the water of Orakzai district. The highest concentration (0.19 mg/L) of chromium (Cr) was reported in the water of Orakzai district. In addition, the result showed that the highest concentration (0.87 mg/l) of zinc (Zn) was in Orakzai district, the highest concentration (1.92 mg/l) of copper (Cu) in Khyber and Mohmand districts ( 1.92 mg/l), while the highest concentration (0.0029 mg/l) of cadmium (Cd) was measured in the water of Orakzai district. Therefore, based on comparison to WHO and EPA standard values, this study shows that the water of all tribal districts is safe for drinking water purposes
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Advancement and Future Perspectives of Prostate Cancer Treatment by Using Plant Bio-actives: A Review
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the world's second most lethal and hateful disease in people. Even while chemotherapy medications have made considerable progress against cancer disease, the body still has to deal with their toxic side effects. In order to produce anticancer medicines with the lowest cost and treatment time, mostly people are using mechanistic techniques. In addition to chemotherapy advanced treatment techniques are also used in clinical practices, and they have an excellent healing results by enhancing patient survival rates. The social care net faces serious challenges because of the lack and high cost of modern therapeutic techniques. The side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs and expensive advance techniques triggered the patient interest towards phytochemicals drugs which indicate that nature always attracts human to fulfill their medical needs at very low cost. The pharmaceutical industries are showing strong interest in recent research, which has led to the addition of a quite large number of phyto-medicines in PCa therapeutic practices. Currently, several experimental epidemiological and clinical research reports confirmed that plant bio-actives play a significant role in PCa prevention by using different mechanistic ways such as suppressing adhesion, anti-angiogenesis, pro-apoptosis, anti-proliferation, invasion and migration. This review systematically highlighted various strategies to treat PCa and advances in research by using different bioactive plant extracts and isolated components that have been tested for PCa therapy along with corresponding clinical and epidemiological studies.
Comprehensive Review on Synthesis of Abox Material and its Catalytic Applications
Perovskites are materials with crystal structures comparable to perovskite (mineral). The backbone of perovskite is calcium titanium oxide (CaTiO3). Perovskite oxides with the general formula ABOx are highly important. In the general formula of perovskite ABX3, A & B are cations, where X is an anion that binds with two cations. Perovskites have proven their versatility in catalysis, photovoltaics, solar cells, electrode conducting material, etc. Due to their unique structural properties and applications, they are compatible with elements having metallic approximately 90% of the periodic table.This review discusses the synthesis and catalytic application of perovskite oxides. There are five sections to this review: (a) a brief description of perovskite oxides, (b) the synthesis of perovskite oxides with various properties, (c) general characterization, (d) catalytic applications, and (e) conclusions and future perspectives.
Determination of Antioxidant Activity of Acacia Nilotica Linn from different Regions of Baluchistan (Pakistan)
Free radicals are naturally occurring species with unpaired electrons that are formed during normal metabolic processes. Their formation in a high amount may cause oxidation of essential structural molecules of cell, the condition is known as oxidative stress which results in several health issues such as cancer, diabetes, heart diseases, inflammatory diseases, arthritis and a lot more. To overcome these effects, antioxidants, both synthetic and natural ones are consumed by people. Due to recent evidences about the long term harmful effects of synthetic antioxidants the interest towards the natural sources has increased. The aim of the current research is to comparatively analyze the antioxidant activity of acacia Nilotica Linn samples collected from different regions of Makran by using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) assay on which no work has been done so far. The DPPH assay of the samples gave the following results with antioxidant activity values as 18.51851%, 4.47761%, and 8.25958% for the samples of acacia Nilotica Linn from Shahrak, acacia from Turbat, acacia from Pedrak. The results revealed that acacia Nilotica Linn from Shahrak exhibits maximum free radical scavenging activity. More work on chemical composition of the tested samples has to be done.
Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial activity of ethylene di-amine and 2-hydroxybenzadehyde Schiff base and its metal complexes
A number of modern techniques have been developed for the synthesis of Schiff bases. We reported the synthesis of ethylene di-amine and 2-hydroxybenzadehyde Schiff base (SB) via the condensation method. To remove phenolic hydrogen to form Schiff base it was reacted with sodium hydroxide and then treated with M(II) chloride (M=Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni and Sn) to fabricate their respective metal complexes. The synthesis of SB metal complexes and detailed functional group characterization were validated via Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. In the final SB, FT-IR results revealed a vibrational peak at 1614 cm-1, which was credited to the –C=N part. The absence of a vibration band for –OH vibration on 1613 cm-1 and the presence of a novel band in the 659 to 586 cm-1 range were due to the metal-oxygen bond, confirming the synthesis of metal complexes. The Schiff base showed high antibacterial activity against E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, S.aureus and Bacillus whereas Streptococcus was found resistant. Cu, Fe and Sn coordination improved Schiff base activity while Ni coordination did not affect the activity. Similarly, Fe and Sn complex had no effect on E. coli. In comparison with standard Ciprofloxacin, the activities of respective metal complexes were low.
Fractionation and Characterization of the Bioactive Compounds of the Extracts of Buds of Syzygium aromaticum
This research focused on the separation and identification of bioactive components of the methanolic extracts of the buds of Syzygium aromaticum. A bioassay and phytochemical screening were performed on the various solvent fractions, and the most active fraction was subjected to spectroscopic analysis using infrared, mass spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance to determine the structure of the active compounds present. The methodology involved extracting the flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum using methanol, fractionating the plant extract using three solvents—n-hexane, ethylacetate, and methanol, and performing a bio Using the agar well diffusion method, the antibacterial properties of the three solvent fractions were ascertained. The analysis' findings revealed that each of the three solvent fractions had tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and reducing sugars; the only fraction to contain saponins was the ethylacetate fraction, and the only fraction to have glycosides. The results of the study further showed that the ethylacetate fraction had the strongest antimicrobial activity against the test organisms, inhibiting the growth of bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Candida albicans at concentrations of 200 mg/mL. The structural elucidation of the active compounds responsible for the antimicrobial was done through spectroscopic analysis using infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy. The antimicrobial activities of this plant highlighted the significance of the extracts in traditional drug preparations, according to the study's findings, which suggested that the antimicrobial properties of the flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum may be due to the synergetic or individual effects of the phytoconstituents found.