Herein, we report the synthesis of a top-down, green, efficient, and selective sorbent from corn stalk pith (CSP). The process involved deep eutectic solvent (DES) treatment, followed by TEMPO/NaClO/NaClO2 oxidation, subsequent microfibrillation, and finally, a hexamethyldisilazane coating. Lignin and hemicellulose were selectively removed by chemical treatments, leading to the breakdown of natural CSP's delicate cell walls and the formation of a porous, aligned structure featuring capillary channels. The aerogel's properties included a density of 293 mg/g, a porosity of 9813%, and a water contact angle of 1305 degrees. Consequently, the aerogels demonstrated outstanding oil/organic solvent sorption, a remarkably high sorption capacity (254-365 g/g), which was 5-16 times higher than CSP, together with rapid absorption speed and good reusability.
This paper reports, for the first time, a new voltammetric sensor for the determination of nickel ions (Ni(II)). This novel, unique, mercury-free, and user-friendly sensor is based on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with a zeolite(MOR)/graphite(G)/dimethylglyoxime(DMG) composite (MOR/G/DMG-GCE). The voltammetric procedure for the highly selective, ultra-trace analysis of nickel ions is also presented. A chemically active MOR/G/DMG nanocomposite, when deposited in a thin layer, enables the selective and effective accumulation of Ni(II) ions to form a DMG-Ni(II) complex. The MOR/G/DMG-GCE displayed a linear correlation between response and Ni(II) ion concentrations, with values ranging from 0.86-1961 g/L at a 30-second accumulation time and 0.57-1575 g/L at a 60-second accumulation time, all within a 0.1 mol/L ammonia buffer (pH 9.0). During a 60-second accumulation period, the detection limit (S/N = 3) was ascertained to be 0.018 grams per liter (304 nanomoles), along with a sensitivity of 0.0202 amperes per gram per liter. The analysis of certified wastewater reference materials provided evidence for the validity of the developed protocol. The practical effectiveness of this procedure was ascertained by quantifying the nickel liberated from metallic jewelry placed in simulated sweat and a stainless steel pot while water was being boiled. To ascertain the accuracy of the obtained results, electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy was employed.
Residual antibiotics within wastewater pose a risk to living creatures and the overall ecosystem, while photocatalysis is widely viewed as a highly eco-friendly and promising technology to address the issue of antibiotic-polluted wastewater. read more The photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) under visible light was investigated in this study using a newly synthesized and characterized Z-scheme Ag3PO4/1T@2H-MoS2 heterojunction. Research indicated that Ag3PO4/1T@2H-MoS2 dosage and the presence of coexisting anions substantially impacted degradation efficiency, reaching a level of 989% within 10 minutes under optimal conditions. A detailed investigation of the degradation pathway and mechanism was conducted, utilizing both experimental data and theoretical modeling. Ag3PO4/1T@2H-MoS2 showcases exceptional photocatalytic properties due to its Z-scheme heterojunction structure that significantly impedes the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes. Studies on the potential toxicity and mutagenicity of TCH and its by-products during antibiotic wastewater photocatalytic degradation confirmed a marked reduction in ecological toxicity.
Recent years have seen lithium consumption approximately double within a decade, a consequence of escalating demand for Li-ion batteries across electric vehicle applications, energy storage sectors, and various industries. Numerous nations' political motivations are projected to significantly boost demand for the LIBs market capacity. From the manufacturing of cathode active materials and the disposal of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), wasted black powders (WBP) are produced. Anticipated is a rapid expansion of the recycling market's capacity. This investigation aims to present a thermal reduction method for the selective extraction of lithium. A vertical tube furnace, utilizing a 10% hydrogen gas reducing agent at 750 degrees Celsius for one hour, processed the WBP, which comprises 74% lithium, 621% nickel, 45% cobalt, and 03% aluminum, leading to a 943% lithium recovery via water leaching, leaving nickel and cobalt in the residue. The leach solution was subjected to a sequence of crystallisation, filtration, and washing steps. A middle product was created, then redissolved in hot water at 80 degrees Celsius for five hours to reduce the concentration of Li2CO3 in the resulting solution. The final solution was repeatedly solidified, transforming into the ultimate product. A 99.5% solution of lithium hydroxide dihydrate was characterized and found to meet the manufacturer's purity specifications, qualifying it as a marketable product. The proposed method for scaling up bulk production is straightforward, and it can also contribute to the battery recycling industry, as the near-future is expected to see an excess of spent LIBs. A streamlined cost analysis demonstrates the process's practicality, particularly for the company that produces the cathode active material (CAM) and develops WBP within its own internal supply chain.
Polyethylene (PE) waste's damaging effects on the environment and human health have been a concern for many decades, as this common synthetic polymer is ubiquitous. The eco-friendliest and most effective strategy for plastic waste management is the process of biodegradation. There has been a recent surge in interest in novel symbiotic yeasts, extracted from termite digestive systems, due to their potential as promising microbiomes for numerous biotechnological applications. This study potentially marks the initial exploration of a constructed tri-culture yeast consortium, designated as DYC and sourced from termites, in the context of its potential for degrading low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The molecularly identified species Sterigmatomyces halophilus, Meyerozyma guilliermondii, and Meyerozyma caribbica constitute the yeast consortium known as DYC. The LDPE-DYC consortium demonstrated accelerated growth on UV-sterilized LDPE as its exclusive carbon supply, culminating in a 634% decline in tensile strength and a 332% decrease in total LDPE mass, contrasted with the performance of the constituent yeast species. Yeast strains, both independently and in collaborative groups, displayed a noteworthy rate of producing enzymes that break down LDPE. According to the postulated LDPE biodegradation pathway, the result was the formation of various metabolites including alkanes, aldehydes, ethanol, and fatty acids. This research underscores the innovative potential of LDPE-degrading yeasts, derived from wood-feeding termites, to biodegrade plastic waste.
The vulnerability of surface waters in natural regions to chemical pollution remains an underestimated issue. This study assessed the occurrence and spatial arrangement of 59 organic micropollutants (OMPs), including pharmaceuticals, lifestyle products, pesticides, organophosphate esters (OPEs), benzophenone, and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), in 411 water samples from 140 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) in Spain, to evaluate their effects on ecologically significant regions. Lifestyle compounds, pharmaceuticals, and OPEs, being the most common chemical families, contrasted with pesticides and PFASs, whose presence was observed in less than a quarter of the examined samples. The detected mean concentrations spanned a range from 0.1 to 301 nanograms per liter. The most important source of all OMPs in natural areas, based on spatial data, is the agricultural surface. read more Pharmaceuticals in surface waters are often linked to discharges from artificial surface and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) which also contain lifestyle compounds and PFASs. Of the 59 OMPs examined, fifteen have been found at levels of high risk for the aquatic IBAs ecosystems, and chlorpyrifos, venlafaxine, and PFOS are the most critical. Quantifying water pollution in Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) for the first time, this study presents evidence of other management practices (OMPs) as a novel threat to crucial freshwater ecosystems essential for biodiversity conservation.
The urgent issue of soil petroleum pollution poses a significant threat to the delicate ecological balance and the safety of our environment in modern society. read more The advantages of aerobic composting, both economically and technologically, make it a suitable choice for the task of soil remediation. In this research, aerobic composting incorporated with biochar application was used to remediate soil contaminated with heavy oil. The treatments with biochar concentrations of 0, 5, 10, and 15 wt% were labeled as CK, C5, C10, and C15, respectively. A thorough examination of the composting procedure involved a systematic investigation of conventional metrics (temperature, pH, ammonium nitrogen, and nitrate nitrogen) coupled with a study of enzyme activities (urease, cellulase, dehydrogenase, and polyphenol oxidase). In addition to evaluating remediation performance, the abundance of functional microbial communities was also quantified. Based on the experimental outcomes, the removal efficiencies of compounds CK, C5, C10, and C15 exhibited values of 480%, 681%, 720%, and 739%, respectively. Analysis of the biochar-assisted composting process, in contrast to abiotic treatments, revealed biostimulation to be the dominant removal mechanism, not adsorption. The addition of biochar effectively managed the succession of microbial communities, resulting in a greater representation of petroleum-degrading microorganisms at the genus level. This research established that the use of biochar in aerobic composting could be a captivating innovation in the restoration of petroleum-polluted soils.
Soil's structural components, aggregates, are essential to the journey and alteration of metals. In site soils, lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) contamination frequently occurs, with the possibility of these metals competing for the same adsorption sites, ultimately affecting their environmental behaviors.