Article
Environmental Sciences
Hala M. Hamadeen, Elsayed A. Elkhatib
Summary: This study evaluated the use of nanostructured activated biochar derived from pomegranate peels as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of ciprofloxacin. The results showed that the biochar had a high adsorption capacity and efficiency, and utilized multiple mechanisms for the adsorption of ciprofloxacin. This research clearly demonstrated the substantial potential of nanostructured activated biochar as an eco-friendly, feasible, and inexpensive adsorbent for the successful removal of ciprofloxacin from wastewater.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Hyunchul Park, Iwan Haechler, Gabriel Schnoering, Marco D. Ponte, Thomas M. Schutzius, Dimos Poulikakos
Summary: This study proposes a sustainable atmospheric water harvesting strategy using durable hydrogel sorbents, which operate based on a "ratcheting" mechanism activated by direct sunlight. The strategy improves the daily water productivity and demonstrates great potential to advance the water harvesting capabilities of related systems.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Meifang Li, Ping Wang, Chenxi Huang, Yunguo Liu, Shaobo Liu, Ke Zhang, Jingxiao Cao, Xiaofei Tan, Shaoheng Liu
Summary: Humic acids (HAs), which are widely present in water environment, have a significant impact on the adsorption of pollutants. This study investigated the effect of dissolved and coated HAs on the removal of the organic contaminant tetracycline (TC) by K2CO3 modified magnetic biochar (KMBC). The results showed that low concentration of dissolved HAs promoted TC removal, while higher concentration of dissolved HAs inhibited TC adsorption. Coated HAs changed the surface and pore characteristics of KMBC, suppressing TC removal.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
J. I. Bautista Quispe, L. C. Campos, O. Masek, A. Bogush
Summary: This paper reviews the latest developments in biochar-based column filtration systems for greywater treatment and identifies areas for further research. The technology has been widely used globally and has shown promising results in pollutant removal and non-potable water reuse. However, more research is needed on social perception, new feedstocks, assessment, and improvement.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Meng Zhang, Yitao Zhu, Yaobin Lyu, Yaqi Luo, Tianxin Duan, Li Wei, Li Pingping
Summary: Deashing treatment can enhance the sorption capacity of biochars for naphthalene and 1-naphthol by reducing surface polar groups and enhancing hydrophobic sorption domains. The removal of minerals in biochars promotes diffusion of organic molecules towards surface hydrophobic domains, leading to an increase in the sorption rate constant. Deashed biochars exhibit lower rate constants for the slow sorption fraction due to their higher aromaticity and larger surface area, inhibiting the diffusion of sorbates into condensed domains.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chaamila Pathirana, Abdul M. Ziyath, Prasanna Egodawatta, Nilanthi J. G. J. Bandara, K. B. S. N. Jinadasa, Erick R. Bandala, Buddhi Wijesiri, Ashantha Goonetilleke
Summary: This study identifies a method for determining the breakthrough time of a column sorption system used in industrial water treatment. Laboratory column set-up requires significant resources, so a more resource-efficient batch experiment can be used to estimate the breakthrough time of a column system.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohamed Bizi, Fatima-Ezzahra EL Bachra
Summary: The transport of carbamazepine, ciprofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole in different pores of activated carbon in an aqueous solution is a dynamic process dependent on intrinsic parameters. The experimental kinetic data analysis showed correlations between diffusional parameters and geometrical parameters of the molecules. Modeling required traditional kinetic models and a new model composed of the pseudo first or second order model and a sigmoidal expression, with excellent predictions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Samuel De Carvalho Gomes, John L. Zhou, Xiaohui Zeng, Guangcheng Long
Summary: This research explores the application of water treatment sludge converted into biochar as a supplementary cementitious material. The results indicate that the incorporation of biochar improves the hydration kinetics and mechanical properties of cement paste, showing evidence of pozzolanic activity. Additionally, the use of biochar can avoid landfill and save valuable cementitious materials.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiahui Zhou, Shu Wang
Summary: MnOx@Fe3O4-PAC, a bimetallic nanoparticle coated powdered activated carbon, was synthesized and characterized in this study. The adsorption and oxidation capabilities of MnOx@Fe3O4-PAC for oxytetracycline (OTC) removal from aqueous solution were investigated. The results showed that MnOx@Fe3O4 bimetallic nanoparticles were distributed on the surfaces, pores, and channels of PAC. The removal efficiency of OTC reached its optimum at pH 3. MnOx@Fe3O4-PAC exhibited superior adsorption and oxidation capabilities, and could be magnetically separated, providing a potential alternative for the treatment of antibiotic wastewater.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-NANO
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Claudia Carnimeo, Nicola Colatorti, Valeria D'Orazio, Pasquale Trotti, Elisabetta Loffredo
Summary: In this study, biochar obtained from poplar wood gasification was used to adsorb xenoestrogens and a herbicide from water. The surface micromorphology and functional groups composition of biochar were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The adsorption kinetics showed the formation of strong bonds between biochar and the compounds, and the adsorption isotherms were described by several mathematical models. Biochar exhibited strong adsorption ability at higher temperatures, and desorption was slow and scarce. This study highlights the excellent potential of biochar as a low-cost biosorbent for retaining organic compounds permanently.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shengquan Zeng, Eunsung Kan
Summary: In this study, FeCl3-activated bermudagrass-derived biochar (FA-BC) was used for the first time to activate persulfate (PS) for E. coli inactivation. The presence of Fe0 and Fe3O4 on the surface of FA-BC contributed to the activation of PS, with SO4 center dot- radicals playing a major role in E. coli inactivation in the FA-BC/PS system. Various factors, such as pH, PS concentration, reaction temperature, and FA-BC dosage, were found to affect the disinfection efficiency of E. coli using FA-BC/PS. The FA-BC/PS showed promising results in terms of E. coli inactivation and removal in different water samples.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Naga Dheeraj Kumar Reddy Chukka, P. Gomathi Nagajothi, L. Natrayan, Yeddula Bharath Simha Reddy, Dhinakaran Veeman, Pravin P. Patil, Subash Thanappan
Summary: Groundwater is a crucial natural source of drinking water for millions of people, but fluoride pollution poses a major problem. This study proposes cost-effective and efficient natural treatment approaches that utilize natural adsorbents to lower fluoride levels in groundwater, aiming to prevent dental and skeletal fluoroses.
ADSORPTION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Bao-Trong Dang, Obey Gotore, Rameshprabu Ramaraj, Yuwalee Unpaprom, Niwooti Whangchai, Xuan-Thanh Bui, Hideaki Maseda, Tomoaki Itayama
Summary: The biochar-inspired tertiary removal system effectively prevents the discharge of antibiotic residue from hospital wastewater treatment. The sorption performance of corncob biochar for different antibiotics was demonstrated, with varying sorption capacities and rates. It was found that the sorption capacity and binding strength parameters were related to pore size distribution of biochar, hydration effects, as well as the number of halogen atoms and functional groups in fluoroquinolones.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jian Chen, Jinbo Ouyang, Weixin Lai, Xiaohong Xing, Limin Zhou, Zhirong Liu, Wenqian Chen, Di Cai
Summary: A novel non-template method was utilized to prepare ultralight composite aerogel globules for the removal of anti-inflammatory drug ketoprofen from aqueous solution. The composite aerogel globules with 10% activated biochar in chitosan exhibited high mechanical property and remarkable sorption performance, with their swelling behavior strongly affected by solution pH. The study also showed decent environment tolerance, complete recovery rate, and excellent reusability of the composite aerogel globules, along with other advantages such as biodegradability, economy, and ease of separation.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jieru Yan, Xiaoxue Zuo, Shengjiong Yang, Rongzhi Chen, Tianming Cai, Dahu Ding
Summary: Iron-modified biochar (Fe-BC) prepared in this study showed enhanced adsorption capability for copper and sulfadiazine compared to pristine biochar (BC). The iron modification enlarged the surface area and loaded iron oxide nanoparticles on biochar surface, improving the adsorption efficiency. In the binary-pollutants system, there was a synergistic effect on the adsorption of Cu2+ and SDZ, possibly due to mutual bridging effects and complexation between the two pollutants. Fe-BC700 exhibited better removal efficiency for Cu2+ and SDZ in the binary system compared to single systems.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Natasha, Muhammad Shahid, Sana Khalid, Behzad Murtaza, Hasnain Anwar, Ali Haidar Shah, Aneeza Sardar, Zunaira Shabbir, Nabeel Khan Niazi
Summary: Freshwater shortage and contamination is a major global issue impacting socioeconomic values. This review focuses on the use of wastewater for crop production in semiarid and arid areas, highlighting its potential as a source of essential nutrients but also its negative effects due to toxic substances such as heavy metals. The case study of Pakistan, which faces severe freshwater scarcity, examines the use of untreated wastewater in agriculture and its impact on soil chemistry and human health. The review provides data analysis and proposes solutions and future perspectives for addressing the challenges.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zafar Iqbal, Muhammad Imran, Natasha, Ghani Rahman, Muhammad Miandad, Muhammad Shahid, Behzad Murtaza
Summary: This study investigated the concentrations of arsenic and other pollutants in groundwater in Bahawalnagar, Punjab, Pakistan and their associated health risks. The results showed that the arsenic concentrations in groundwater did not exceed the World Health Organization's limit for drinking water, and long-term consumption of arsenic-contaminated water did not pose an apparent non-carcinogenic risk. However, the respondents in the area generally believed that groundwater was not suitable for drinking, and there may be other water quality issues leading to different health problems.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Umar Daraz, Yang Li, Iftikhar Ahmad, Rashid Iqbal, Allah Ditta
Summary: Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a highly acidic solution rich in heavy metals produced by mining activities, which severely inhibits plant growth and disrupts the surrounding ecosystem. Bioremediation technologies, including active and passive treatments, utilizing different chemical compounds and natural/biological processes, have been widely used due to their low-cost and environment-friendly nature. However, these approaches have limitations in terms of efficiency and secondary pollution. Further research is needed to enhance the efficiency and address the issues of secondary pollutants and safe disposal of materials in AMD treatment, particularly in PGPR-assisted phytoremediation.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Mariana Minut, Mariana Diaconu, Mihaela Rosca, Petronela Cozma, Laura Bulgariu, Maria Gavrilescu
Summary: In this study, bacteria from the genus of Azotobacter, Bacillus and Pseudomonas were isolated from Phaseolus vulgaris roots and used as plant growth-promoting bacteria for various plants. The results showed that different bacteria had different effects on plant growth in both sterile and non-sterile soil. Bacillus had the most influence on Sinapis alba in sterile soil, while Pseudomonas had the greatest effect on root and shoot length in non-sterile soil. Azotobacter stimulated the growth of Brassica napus in non-sterile soil, while Bacillus had a positive effect on Amaranthus retroflexus. Azotobacter also promoted the growth of Rumex patientia and Panicum miliaceum, while Pseudomonas enhanced the growth of Linum usitatissimum in non-sterile soil. However, not all differences observed in plants with the selected bacteria were statistically significant compared to the control.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tausif Ahmad, Jibran Iqbal, Mohamad Azmi Bustam, Muhammad Babar, Muhammad Bilal Tahir, Muhammad Sagir, Muhammad Irfan, Hafiz Muhammad Anwaar Asghar, Afaq Hassan, Asim Riaz, Lai Fatt Chuah, Awais Bokhari, Muhammad Mubashir, Pau Loke Show
Summary: The critical challenge faced by our modern society is how to reduce the effects of climate change and global warming caused by CO2 emissions. This study investigates the adsorption potential of surface functionalized cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeNPs) for CO2 separation using deep eutectic solvents (DESs). The DESs were prepared using phosphonium-based compounds and were characterized before being used to functionalize the CeNPs. It was found that DES6-coated CeNPs showed higher adsorption performance for CO2 capture compared to DES3-coated CeNPs. This is likely due to the enhanced surface affinity between DES6-coated CeNPs and CO2 molecules, resulting in better mass transport characteristics and higher CO2 adsorption performance. These findings open up new research possibilities for reducing environmental effects of CO2 emissions through the use of DES surface-coated CeNPs.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Hina Arif, Muhammad Bilal Tahir, Badriah S. Almutairi, Iqra Khalid, M. Sagir, H. Elhosiny Ali, Hussein Alrobei, Meshal Alzaid
Summary: In this study, density functional theory (DFT) based CASTEP first principles calculations were used to investigate the properties of CsSiBr3 perovskite for solar cell and photovoltaic applications. The optical, structural, and electronic properties of CsSiBr3 perovskite compound were discussed and examined using GGA-PBE calculations. The influence of lattice constant on the band gap values was also analyzed, and results showed that CsSiBr3 has a promising band gap value of 0.996 eV with an optimized lattice constant of 5.057 A.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Sajjad Ahmad Khan, Soumaya Gouadria, H. A. Alburaih, Asghar Nazir, Naseeb Ahmad, Muhammad Bilal Tahir, Salma Aman
Summary: The MnSe/FeSe2 nanocomposite, consisting of MnSe and FeSe2, was prepared by hydrothermal synthesis. The FeSe2 significantly affected the electrocatalytic oxidation, with an equal molar ratio of Mn and Fe during synthesis. The nanocomposite showed an onset potential of 1.511 V versus RHE and a Tafel slope of 43.90 mV dec(-1), making it suitable for electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER). It outperformed the commercially available RuO2 catalyst and demonstrated efficient interaction between ferrous and manganese in OER electrocatalysis without the addition of metal ions to the MnSe crystalline structure. Hence, this composite catalyst holds promise for future electrochemical applications.
JOURNAL OF ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Muhammad Usman, Jalil Ur Rehman, M. Bilal Tahir, Abid Hussain, Hussein Alrobei, Meshal Alzaid, A. Dahshan
Summary: The present study uses first-principles calculations to investigate the structural, electronic, optical, and mechanical properties of bismuth-based novel fluoroperovskites TBiF3 (T = Hg, Xe). The thermodynamic stability of cubic fluoroperovskites is determined using the enthalpy of formation and the phonon spectra. The lattice parameters of HgBiF3 and XeBiF3 are found to be 4.78 and 4.82 angstrom, respectively. Both compounds exhibit semiconducting behavior with a direct band gap, as explained by the density of states. HgBiF3 has a band gap of 2.65 eV, while XeBiF3 has a band gap of 3.12 eV. The mechanical properties indicate that both materials are mechanically stable, incompressible, and hard. According to Pugh's ratio and Cauchy pressure, HgBiF3 is brittle, while XeBiF3 is ductile. The combined study of these properties suggests that HgBiF3 is a preferable dielectric material for optoelectronic applications.
MATERIALS SCIENCE IN SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Muhammad Khalid Hussain, N. R. Khalid, M. B. Tahir, Muhammad Tanveer, Tahir Iqbal, Maira Liaqat
Summary: A novel ternary ZnO/CuO/MoO3 (ZnO/CuO/M) heterojunction photocatalyst with nanorods morphology was synthesized by hydrothermal treatment. The photocatalytic activity of the ZnO/CuO/M nanorods was significantly improved compared to pristine ZnO, CuO, MoO3, and the binary CuO/M composite. The improved performance can be attributed to the efficient transfer and separation of photoexcited charge carriers in the ZnO/CuO/M heterojunction.
MATERIALS SCIENCE IN SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSING
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Dumitru Bulgariu, Lacramioara (Negrila) Nemes, Iftikhar Ahmad, Laura Bulgariu
Summary: The presence of high concentrations of metal ions in industrial metal coatings effluents has negative effects on the environment. To minimize their impact, it is important to reduce the concentration of metal ions before discharging the effluents. Sorption is an effective and low-cost method for reducing the concentration of metal ions. In this study, mustard waste biomass functionalized with an industrial polymeric thiocarbamate was used as a sorbent to remove Cu(II), Zn(II), and Co(II) ions from aqueous media. The results demonstrated the potential of this sorbent in treating wastewater contaminated with metal ions.
Review
Microbiology
Weixue Liao, Wenhan Nie, Iftikhar Ahmad, Gongyou Chen, Bo Zhu
Summary: A-to-I RNA editing is an important modification that increases protein diversity by modifying adenosine to inosine in RNA molecules. ADAR-dependent A-to-I mRNA editing is common in animals, but TadA-mediated editing has been found in E. coli. Some editing events in bacterial proteins, such as S128P on FliC and T408A on XfeA, enhance bacterial tolerance to oxidative stress and control iron uptake, respectively. Most of the editing events in bacteria have adaptive benefits, and there may be other enzymes similar to TadA involved in the editing process.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Umar Daraz, Iftikhar Ahmad, Qu-Sheng Li, Bo Zhu, Muhammad Farhan Saeed, Yang Li, Jianguo Ma, Xiao-Bo Wang
Summary: Soil heavy metal contamination and salinity are major environmental problems worldwide. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) provide a potential solution by enhancing plant stress tolerance and ion balance.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Abdullah Alourani, Muhammad Sardaraz, Muhammad Tahir, Muhammad Saud Khan
Summary: The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) connects medical devices and software applications to provide healthcare information technology services, facing challenges of massive data traffic and user expectations. To address this, using Information Centric Network (ICN) technology can reduce response time, improve performance, and enable energy-efficient cache scheduling.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Sana Khalid, Muhammad Shahid, Zeid A. A. Alothman, Abdullah A. A. Al-Kahtani, Behzad Murtaza, Camille Dumat
Summary: Soil processes greatly influence the chemical speciation and biogeochemical activity of metals. This study predicted chemical speciation of eight metals in two soil layers. Divalent forms of metals were dominant in both layers (79.9%). Chromium showed a different chemical speciation pattern (95.8% as CrOH+) compared to other metals.
SOIL ECOLOGY LETTERS
(2023)
