Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Muhammad Anees Ur Rehman Qureshi, Nasima Arshad, Atta Rasool
Summary: In this study, chitosan, poly (N-vinyl-2-pyrolidone), and polyamidoamine based hydrogels were prepared with different amounts of graphene oxide (GO) for controlled cephradine (CPD) release. The hydrogels were characterized by various methods including FTIR, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, SEM, and AFM. The results showed the presence of specific functionalities and interfaces in the hydrogels, with thermal stability being proportional to the amount of GO. Antibacterial activity was tested and CAD-2 exhibited the highest bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In vitro biodegradation and swelling behavior were also examined, and pH sensitive CPD release was detected using a UV visible spectrophotometer. The chitosan-based hydrogel platforms showed great potential for controlled CPD release in medical applications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Dora Lawrencia, See Kiat Wong, Darren Yi Sern Low, Bey Hing Goh, Joo Kheng Goh, Uracha Rungsardthong Ruktanonchai, Apinan Soottitantawat, Learn Han Lee, Siah Ying Tang
Summary: The rising global population is expected to increase the demand for nitrogen fertilizers, with controlled release fertilizers emerging as a potential solution. However, challenges such as tailing effect and high materials cost are hindering the widespread application of CRF in agriculture. This review discusses issues related to conventional fertilizers and CRFs, comparing different raw materials and preparation methods while also examining factors affecting release rate and modeling approaches.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
E. M. Eddarai, M. El Mouzahim, R. Boussen, A. Bellaouchou, A. Guenbour, A. Zarrouk
Summary: The study focuses on the use of a durable chitosan-based coating material as a barrier for slow-release fertilizers in agricultural soil. Through various analyses, it was found that the proposed coating material has good slow-release properties, durability, low cost, and is environmentally friendly. The interaction between kaolinite clay pores and chitosan chains was confirmed through FTIR, ATG, and XRD spectra.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Robiul Islam Rubel, Lin Wei
Summary: This study aims to develop a novel biochar-based controlled-release N fertilizer by formulating nitrogen fertilizer particles and applying a polylactic acid coating via the spray coating method. The results showed that the release time of 70% N from the BCRNFs particles into water could be controlled by adjusting the PLA coating content.
JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zeou Dou, Maria Vitoria Bini Farias, Wensi Chen, Dongjing He, Yuhang Hu, Xing Xie
Summary: This study presents a controlled-release fertilizer excipient based on chitosan and montmorillonite, which can reduce fertilizer loss, improve soil water retention, and has high degradability with minimal impact on long-term soil fertility.
FRONTIERS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Safaa Eltahir, Reem Al Homsi, Jayalakshmi Jagal, Iman Saad Ahmed, Mohamed Haider
Summary: This study presents the development of a thermosensitive injectable composite hydrogel for localized controlled delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) in the treatment of solid tumors. The use of a quality-by-design approach allowed for the optimization of the formulation variables to produce an optimal DOX-loaded GO/CS/GP CH with desired characteristics. The results showed that the optimized DOX/opt CH had a porous microstructure and chemical compatibility between its ingredients, resulting in the controlled release of DOX. Cellular characterization demonstrated increased cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of DOX after treatment with DOX/opt CH.
Article
Polymer Science
Said Sair, Soumia Aboulhrouz, Othmane Amadine, Ikrame Ayouch, Ilham Jioui, Younes Essamlali, Karim Danoun, Boubker Ouadil, Mohamed Zahouily
Summary: This study developed Polyalkyd-urethane (PAU) film formulations based on alkyd resin as coating films for NPK granules, creating Slow-Controlled Release Fertilizers (SCRF). The coated fertilizers demonstrated cohesive films on the granules and exhibited excellent slow-release properties for nutrients. The experiment also showed that the coated films significantly improved the hardness of the granules and achieved a high nutrient release percentage.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Chen Li, Fayong Li, Ke Wang, Qing Wang, Hailu Liu, Xiaoyan Sun, Dong Xie
Summary: In this study, a functionalized carboxymethyl chitosan-graphene oxide-gelatin composite hydrogel with excellent swelling property, high biocompatibility, and drug delivery efficiency was prepared by ionic crosslinking. The composite hydrogel exhibited porous structures with randomly distributed but regularly arranged pores in the cross section. The thermal stability and swelling ratio of the composite hydrogel were improved, leading to improved drug delivery efficiency and prolonged drug administration.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Zhisheng Cen, Lin Wei, Kasiviswanathan Muthukumarappan, Abdus Sobhan, Rachel McDaniel
Summary: This study aims to develop a biochar-based controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer (BCRNF) to improve nitrogen supply time and rate, thereby increasing nitrogen use efficiency. Through impregnating ammonium sulfate in biochar and coating with polylactic acid, 70% of nitrogen was released in 12 days in water and 25 days in soil. The thermal stability was good, and the PLA concentration significantly affected the nitrogen release time and rate.
JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Suparat Rukchonlatee, Punnama Siriphannon
Summary: Montmorillonite/tripolyphosphate crosslinked chitosan containing potassium nitrate nanocomposites were synthesized by a simple impregnation method. The nanocomposites consisted of K+ and NO3- ions embedded in crosslinked chitosan, intercalated in the structure of montmorillonite. The nanocomposites showed controlled release of K+ and NO3- ions, with prolonged release times in the presence of higher TPP concentration.
JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rebecca V. McQuillan, Geoffrey W. Stevens, Kathryn A. Mumford
Summary: This study demonstrates the effective encapsulation of water-soluble fertilizers using liquid marble (LM) technology. By fabricating polymeric shells of varying compositions and thicknesses, the release properties of the marbles can be controlled and adjusted to meet different application needs. A kinetic model is implemented to accurately simulate and predict the release characteristics.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Fahimeh Farshi Azhar, Mehrnoush Rezaei, Ali Olad, Hanieh Mousazadeh
Summary: The study demonstrated a significant synergistic effect of GO and MMT on the controlled release of GEM, with the nanocomposite containing 17wt% MMT showing optimal drug release rate and content, with a T-50% of about 2 hours. Non-Fickian diffusion mechanism and Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model were used to confirm drug release behavior. Additionally, in vitro cytotoxicity assay confirmed the potential of the nanocomposite as a breast cancer therapy system for controlled delivery of GEM.
Review
Polymer Science
Rabia Ikram, Badrul Mohamed Jan, Muhammad Abdul Qadir, Akhmal Sidek, Minas M. Stylianakis, George Kenanakis
Summary: This study summarizes recent developments in exploring chitin and chitosan derivatives for energy-related applications, showcasing their potential in biosensors, batteries, fuel cells, and other energy applications.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ahmad Saadati, Behnam Nourmohammadi Khiarak, Ayda Asaadi Zahraei, Aida Nourbakhsh, Hurieh Mohammadzadeh
Summary: In this study, magnesium alloys were coated with hydroxyapatite/chitosan using electrophoretic deposition method with different graphene oxide content. It was found that adding 1% graphene oxide and applying 150V potential significantly improved the corrosion resistance of the magnesium alloys. The microstructure of the coatings showed a significant relationship with their corrosion resistance, potentially due to the formation of well dispersed, low porosity, and relatively dense composite coatings.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zulqarnain Chaughtai, Muhammad Ali Hashmi, Muhammad Yar, Khurshid Ayub
Summary: Theoretical calculations were used to study the properties of graphene/polypyrrole composites, revealing that pi-stacking is the preferred orientation and discussing the weak van der Waals interactions in the composites, as well as the decrease in HOMO-LUMO gap with increasing graphene concentration. The UV/visible spectra showed a red shift as the concentration of graphene increased, consistent with experimental results.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Honghong Lyu, Pin Li, Jingchun Tang, Weixin Zou, Pengfei Wang, Bin Gao, Lin Dong
Summary: The synergy between adsorption and photocatalysis provides an ideal green technology for treating antibiotic pollution in water. In this study, single-atom Mn anchored on N-doped graphene oxide (Mn-NGO) was synthesized and showed enhanced adsorptive-photocatalytic removal of aqueous sulfanilamide (SNM). The mechanisms behind the enhanced performance were revealed, including upgraded electronic structures, increased adsorption and polarizing of SNM, and the generation of key reaction intermediates.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Yulin Zheng, Yongshan Wan, Yue Zhang, Jinsheng Huang, Yicheng Yang, Daniel C. W. Tsang, Hailong Wang, Hao Chen, Bin Gao
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in phosphorus removal technologies in wastewater treatment. The analysis focuses on the mechanisms, removal efficiencies, and recovery potential of four typical treatment processes, as well as comparing their design principles, feasibility, operation parameters, and pros & cons. The study also proposes perspectives and future research directions for phosphorus removal and recovery in the context of sustainable water treatment technology.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bo Chen, Neng Lv, Wenfeng Xu, Li Gong, Taoyu Sun, Liyuan Liang, Bin Gao, Feng He
Summary: This study compared the retention and transport of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) modified nZVI (CMC-nZVI) and sulfidated nZVI (CMC-S-nZVI) particles in saturated columns packed with quartz sand. The results showed that grain size reduction inhibited the transport of both CMC-nZVI and CMC-S-nZVI, while metal oxide coatings had minimal effect. CMC-S-nZVI exhibited higher breakthrough and mass recovery compared to CMC-nZVI under the same experimental conditions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guangdou Qi, Zhifei Pan, Xueyang Zhang, Shuaishuai Chang, Hongbo Wang, Min Wang, Wei Xiang, Bin Gao
Summary: Microwave biochar produced with activated carbon catalyst shows excellent potential in removing heavy metals from waste water due to its high specific surface area and adsorption capacity. The optimum pH value for heavy metal removal is between 5-6, and Pb2+ exhibits the strongest affinity. The adsorption process is mainly explained by monolayer adsorption and chemical adsorption mechanisms. Complexation with oxygen-containing functional groups and precipitation with carbonate are the predominant adsorption mechanisms.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jiaju Fu, Bin Gao, Hongxia Xu, Shefeng Hao, Jinghua Ren, Jichun Wu, Yuanyuan Sun
Summary: This study investigated the impact of biofilm, specifically Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis (BS), Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), and wild microbiota (WM), on the transport of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in saturated sand columns. The results showed that biofilm increased the retention of PFOA, but the effects varied depending on the bacterial species. In addition, the influence of ionic strength on PFOA transport differed among the biofilm types. The findings of this study have important implications for the risk assessment and remediation of PFOA contamination.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Tao Jiang, Bing Wang, Bin Gao, Ning Cheng, Qianwei Feng, Miao Chen, Shengsen Wang
Summary: Biochar has shown great potential in environmental remediation due to its low cost, large specific surface area, porosity, and high conductivity. However, there is still a need to further explore the effects of biochar properties on catalytic performance and fill in the knowledge gaps in the reaction mechanisms of biochar-assisted advanced oxidation processes. Additionally, there is a lack of regeneration methods for biochar catalysts. Therefore, it is necessary to systematically review the latest research progress of biochar-assisted advanced oxidation processes in the treatment of organic pollutants in water.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Xiaodong Yang, Xueqin Shao, Jin Tong, Jinfeng Zhou, Ying Feng, Rui Chen, Qiang Yang, Ye Han, Xizhen Yang, Lili Wang, Xuewen Ma, Zhongqing Fan, Zhi Song, Andrew R. Zimmerman, Bin Gao
Summary: This study investigated a facile and environmentally-friendly method to synthesize a porous Na-bentonite/hickory-biochar composite sorbent from hickory waste biomass. The composite sorbents showed increased microporosity and O-containing functional groups. The composite prepared with 10% biomass by weight and at 600°C exhibited the highest adsorption capacity for Eriochrome Blue Black R (EBBR) anionic organic dyes.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mohamed I. D. Helal, Zhaohui Tong, Hassan A. Khater, Muhammad A. Fathy, Fatma E. Ibrahim, Yuncong Li, Noha H. Abdelkader
Summary: In order to address the low fertilizer use efficiency in crop production, slow-release fertilizers (SRFs) have been introduced as effective solutions to minimize nutrient losses. This study focuses on modifying the fabrication process to develop a controllable release fertilizer (CRU) using biowaste lignin and low-cost montmorillonite clay mineral. The CRUs exhibited a prolonged nitrogen release function, extending to 20 days in water and 32 days in soil. The significance of this research lies in the production of CRU beads that contain high nitrogen percentages and have a long soil residence period, which can enhance plant nitrogen utilization efficiency and contribute to agricultural production.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Haiqin Wan, Xiaoshan Zeng, Bingqing Shi, Qiuhui Qian, Qing Tong, Weixin Zou, Bin Gao, Lin Dong
Summary: The photocatalytic oxidation of toluene is improved by introducing cheap carbon and nitrogen species on the surface of titanium dioxide. UT1 photocatalyst showed the best performance with a conversion rate of around 90% and a mineralization rate of 85% for toluene under light (λ≥400 nm, RH= 20%) for at least 720 minutes. The excellent activity of UT1 photocatalyst is attributed to the presence of interstitial nitrogen and CN species with triple bonds.
APPLIED CATALYSIS A-GENERAL
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Yue Zhang, Yongshan Wan, Yulin Zheng, Yicheng Yang, Jinsheng Huang, Hao Chen, Guixiang Quan, Bin Gao
Summary: Hydrochars derived from hydrothermal carbonization of hickory wood, bamboo, and wheat straw were modified with potassium permanganate for effective sorption of heavy metals. The modified wheat straw hydrochar (WSHyC-0.2KMnO(4)) exhibited the highest adsorption capacity, attributed to its large specific surface area, abundant surface oxygenic functional groups, and significant presence of MnOx microparticles. Batch adsorption experiments demonstrated that WSHyC-0.2KMnO(4) had a faster adsorption rate and much higher adsorption capacity (12-17 times) for Pb(II), Cd(II), and Cu(II) compared to WSHyC, due to increased OCFG and MnOx microparticles on its surface facilitating ion exchange, electrostatic interactions, and complexation mechanisms.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Taige Li, Wenjing Li, Shan Yu, Chenhao Zhao, Longfei Liu, Yuncong C. Li, Bin Gao, Hao Chen, Bing Wang, Xiaozhi Wang, Shengsen Wang, Jorg Rinklebe
Summary: In this study, hydrogen radicals were found to be a new pathway for the production of hydroxyl radicals, which increased the dissolution of cadmium sulfide and the solubility of Cd in paddy soils. Soil incubation experiments showed that the bioavailable Cd concentrations in flooded paddy soils increased by 8.44% after 3 days of aeration. The presence of hydrogen radicals in aerated soil sludge was observed for the first time. Electrolysis experiments confirmed the association of CdS dissolution with free radicals. The application of biochar decreased soil DTPA-Cd by 22-56% through multiple mechanisms, including the quenching of radicals and stimulation of Fe/S-reducing bacteria.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yidan Luo, Yuanwang Lan, Xuzhou Liu, Mingshan Xue, Longshuai Zhang, Zuozhu Yin, Xiaoshu He, Xibao Li, Jun Yang, Zhen Hong, Mu. Naushad, Bin Gao
Summary: In this study, three types of hydrochars were synthesized from agricultural and forestry residuals for the synergistic adsorption and photoreduction of hexavalent chromium. These hydrochars exhibited strong adsorption capability and effectively removed hexavalent chromium under various conditions.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jiahui Liu, Yuechao Yang, Bin Gao, Wentao Wang, Dongdong Cheng, Yuanyuan Yao, Tianlin Shen, Ting Zhang, Jinpeng Wu, Xinning Zhao, Jiaqi Weng, Jiazhuo Xie
Summary: In this study, a coating material with controlled-release fertilizer function was developed using recyclable waste cardboard. By improving hydrophobicity and coating structure, the controlled-release abilities were significantly enhanced, leading to prolonged fertilizer release and increased oilseed rape yield. This research provides an efficient strategy for the application of low-cost and eco-friendly biowaste-derived controlled-release fertilizers.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fei Jiang, Feiyue Li, Andrew R. Zimmerman, Zhongpu Yu, Licheng Ji, Chengcheng Wei, Xueyang Zhang, Bin Gao
Summary: Biochar, attapulgite, and diatomite were co-ball milled to prepare mineral-biochar composites for wastewater treatment. The composites showed better adsorption capacity for methylene blue compared to ball milled biochar and mineral alone. The 10% composites of attapulgite-biochar and diatomite-biochar had the highest adsorption capacities, which were 2.7 and 2.3 times that of ball milled biochar, respectively. The improved adsorption is attributed to the oxygen-containing functional groups and cation exchange capacity of the composites.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chuchu Feng, Lan Zhang, Xiu Zhang, Jingyu Li, Yimeng Li, Yaru Peng, Yuan Luo, Ronghua Li, Bin Gao, Mohamed A. Hamouda, Ken Smith, Esmat F. Ali, Sang Soo Lee, Zengqiang Zhang, Joerg Rinklebe, Sabry M. Shaheen
Summary: The needle-like MgO particle coated tea waste biochar composite (MTC) was prepared and used as an adsorbent for removing phosphorus (P) from synthetic solution and kitchen waste fermentation liquid. The maximum P sorption capacities of MTC were 58.80 mg g(-1) from the solution at pH 7 and 192.8 mg g(-1) from the fermentation liquid at pH 9. MTC exhibited different P sorption mechanisms in different environments, making it effective for P removal from aqueous environments, especially fermentation liquids.
