Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qijie Chen, Chunyan Liang, Xin Gao, Yalan Zhao, Na You, Feng Wang, Jianhui Wang
Summary: In this study, starch nanocrystals (SNCs) were prepared using enzymatic pre-hydrolysis combined with sulfuric acid hydrolysis and their adsorption capacity for heavy metal ions in an aqueous solution was investigated. The results showed that SNCs had high adsorption capacity for Zn(II), Cu(II), and Fe(II) and followed the second-order kinetics and the Freundlich adsorption isotherm.
JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Dorothy W. Skaf, Vito L. Punzi, Charles F. Helenbrook, Emily H. Pozzuto
Summary: This study investigated the removal of copper from aqueous solution using shrimp tail shell waste and chitosan derived from shrimp shell. The results showed that shrimp tail shell waste had excellent adsorption properties, with raw shrimp tail shell waste having a higher copper loading capacity.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xin Sun, Minlin Mao, Kaibin Lu, Qimei Hu, Weizhen Liu, Zhang Lin
Summary: This study developed an efficient method for the one-step complete removal of arsenic from high-level arsenic-containing wastewater, using a hazardous solid waste known as arsenic-bearing gypsum. The method resulted in no secondary pollution and transformed the waste into a stable and environmentally friendly mineral. It provides a new idea for treating toxic heavy metal-containing wastewaters and hazardous solid wastes simultaneously.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Lukasz Stala, Justyna Ulatowska, Izabela Polowczyk
Summary: Pollution by heavy metal ions in aqueous systems has gradually gained researchers' attention. Technologies such as chemical precipitation, adsorption, membrane filtration, and ion exchange have been developed for ion removal, with a focus on materials like polyampholytes. Recent publications show promising properties of experimental polyampholytes in toxic metal ion removal, encouraging further research in this area.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Luo Linglin, Li Fashe, Zhang Huicong, Duan Yaozong, Wang Wenchao
Summary: Raw materials and production process result in the presence of various metal ions in biodiesel. The use of 732 ion-exchange resin reduces the content of alkali and alkaline earth metal ions in Jatropha biodiesel and improves the fuel quality. The ion-exchange resin effectively adsorbs alkali and alkaline earth metal ions in biodiesel and enhances its physiochemical properties.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Swadhina Privadarshini Lenka, Wasim Akram Shaikh, Gary Owens, Lokesh P. Padhye, Sukalyan Chakraborty, Tanushree Bhattacharya
Summary: The study demonstrated that dolochar has high adsorption efficiency for copper, achieving 100% removal under specific conditions, making it suitable for copper-contaminated wastewater treatment.
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jianguo Cheng, Shanfei Zhang, Chen Fang, Litong Ma, Jianguo Duan, Xu Fang, Rihong Li
Summary: Heavy metal pollution caused by industrial wastewater is a major global concern. This study used modified lignite as a low-cost adsorbent for heavy metal ions. The adsorption capacity of raw lignite was greatly improved after microbial transformation, resulting in good adsorption effects with various heavy metal ions.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Henilkumar M. Lankapati, Piyush M. Dankhara, Dharmesh R. Lathiya, Brijesh Shah, Uma Chudasama, Lalita Choudhary, Kalpana C. Maheria
Summary: A hybrid exchanger ZrT has been synthesized by the sol-gel method and investigated for its potential use in treating radioactive metal waste water. The study showed promising results in binary lanthanide separations and highlighted ZrT as a potential candidate for ion exchange material in nuclear aqueous waste treatment.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES AND ASSESSMENTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
I. Risha Achaiah, B. H. Gayathri, Nagma Banu, C. S. Kaliprasad, B. N. Beena ullala Mata, K. P. Ajeya, K. Balakrishna, K. Udayabhanu, K. Prashantha, Y. R. Girish, S. M. Anush
Summary: A novel pyrazole based chitosan Schiff base material was prepared by incorporating Fe3O4-MoS2 nanoparticles within a gel matrix. The composite material showed high adsorption capacities for Cr(VI) and Cu(II) with maximum adsorption capacities of 200.00 mg/g and 125.00 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption process followed pseudo second order kinetics and Langmuir adsorption model, indicating a monolayer adsorptive process. The thermodynamic analysis revealed the adsorption process to be spontaneous and endothermic. The composite material exhibited good reusability using suitable stripping solutions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lukasz Stala, Justyna Ulatowska, Izabela Polowczyk
Summary: A group of six amino-hypophosphite polyampholytes (AHPs) were synthesized and tested for their ability in scavenging four toxic metal ions. The AHPs were produced using a green and convenient one-pot reaction, making them more sustainable than conventional materials derived from crude oil. Characterization using FTIR spectra showed that the AHPs possessed ion scavenging properties in a wide pH range, with certain selectivity towards specific metal ions. The high ionic capacities of the AHPs suggest their potential application in removing toxic metal ions from various types of wastewater.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Amutha Arul, S. Kavitha, Anand Babu Christus, Velappa Jayaraman Surya, A. Ravikumar, Yuvaraj Sivalingam
Summary: The study investigated the use of a cheap, high-efficiency, and eco-friendly adsorbent as an alternative to activated carbon coated Maghemite nanoparticles for removing lead and cadmium ions from aqueous solutions. The adsorbent showed good fit with Langmuir, Temkin and Freundlich isotherm models, and the maximum adsorption capacity for Pb (II) and Cd (II) ions was determined. The study also examined the kinetics and thermodynamics of adsorption, and demonstrated that Maghemite nanoparticle coated activated carbon derived from agricultural biomass is a promising option for removing metals from industrial effluents due to its cost-effectiveness, high efficiency, and environmental friendliness.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
S. N. Turkmen Koc, A. S. Kipcak, E. Moroydor Derun, N. Tugrul
Summary: The study aimed to produce a low-cost adsorbent for zinc removal from wastewater using microwave carbonized orange, pineapple, and pomegranate peels, activated chemically with ZnCl2 and H2SO4. The optimal adsorption efficiency was influenced by fruit type, microwave processing time, activating agent type, and adsorption contact time. Environmentally friendly and cost-effective activated carbons were successfully produced for zinc adsorption from wastewater, showing promising results for potential practical applications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rauf Foroutan, Seyed Jamaleddin Peighambardoust, Reza Mohammadi, Seyed Hadi Peighambardoust, Bahman Ramavandi
Summary: In this study, banana peel waste was utilized for biochar production, and then modified into nanocomposites with significantly increased surface area for efficient Cd2+ adsorption. The magnetic nano-composites showed excellent ability to adsorb Cd2+, indicating potential for wastewater treatment applications.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Xinyuan Wang, Jinyu Wang, Wei Li, Jinli Zhang
Summary: This study developed a new synthetic strategy to prepare an economic fluoride adsorbent, ZrO2-MgO@C composite (CZMC), with high capacity, superior selectivity, and easy regeneration. Characterization results showed that CZMC possessed a desired structure with high dispersion of metal oxides in the porous carbonized microspheres. The adsorption capacity of CZMC for F- ions was found to be 184.5 mg/g, and it exhibited excellent resistance towards disturbance from other anions. DFT calculations revealed that the adsorption process of fluorine ions occurred spontaneously and involved orbital hybridization of surface atoms. This composite adsorbent with high adsorption capacity, superior F-selectivity, and ease of regeneration holds great potential for the treatment of wastewater containing fluorine ions.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mohammad Hadi Dehghani, Sahar Afsari Sardari, Mojtaba Afsharnia, Mehdi Qasemi, Mahmoud Shams
Summary: The use of pottery granules (PG) as an adsorbent for removing toxic metal Pb(II) from drinking water was studied. The physicochemical factors such as contact time, PG dose, pH, solution temperature, and coexisting ions were investigated. The results showed that PG had efficient adsorption capacity for Pb(II), with removal increasing with increasing PG dose and agitation time, and decreasing with increasing Pb(II) concentration. The adsorption process was described as favorable, with Pb(II) being adsorbed in multilayers onto the PG surface.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Devis Montroni, Francesca Sparla, Simona Fermani, Giuseppe Falini
Summary: This study demonstrates that proteins play a crucial role in influencing the mechanical properties of chitin-composite materials, with protein disulfide bonds and correct folding being key factors for Young's modulus and maximum stress. Removal of the protein matrix leads to a reduction in Young's modulus and maximum stress, while structural integrity of the chitin matrix remains unchanged. The proteins act as a stiff matrix reinforced by di-sulfide bridges that link chitin fibrils, preventing them from sliding against each other.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Devis Montroni, Marco Palanca, Kavin Morellato, Simona Fermani, Luca Cristofolini, Giuseppe Falini
Summary: In this study, a new bio-inspired material was synthesized by utilizing the multi-scale hierarchical structure of beta-chitin matrix from squid pen, which was chemically functionalized to mimic the mechanical properties of byssus. The resulted matrix maintained its multi-scale structural organization and exhibited increased mechanical properties through metal cross-linking and oxidation. This research demonstrates the possibility of tuning the mechanical properties of a natural matrix by adding specific bio-functionalities without altering its multi-scale organization.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elena Baldi, Luciano Cavani, Martina Mazzon, Claudio Marzadori, Maurizio Quartieri, Moreno Toselli
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of annual compost applications on micronutrient uptake by nectarine trees and soil fertility after 14 years. The results showed that compost application did not increase the risk of pollution from potentially toxic trace elements while improving the bioavailability of Fe, Mn, and Zn.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alessandro Cheli, Arianna Mancuso, Michele Azzarone, Simona Fermani, Jaap Kaandorp, Frederic Marin, Devis Montroni, Iryna Polishchuk, Fiorella Prada, Marco Stagioni, Giovanni Valdre, Boaz Pokroy, Giuseppe Falini, Stefano Goffredo, Daniele Scarponi
Summary: This study investigated the shell features and growth variations of the edible bivalve Chamelea gallina from the Holocene sedimentary succession to present-day thanatocoenosis of the Po Plain-Adriatic Sea system. The findings revealed that modern specimens of C. gallina have lower density possibly due to lower aragonite saturation state at lower temperature, which could ultimately increase the energetic costs of shell formation.
Article
Agronomy
Caterina Giacometti, Martina Mazzon, Luciano Cavani, Loretta Triberti, Guido Baldoni, Claudio Ciavatta, Claudio Marzadori
Summary: Understanding the relationships between soil quality, crop productivity, and management practices is crucial for developing sustainable agricultural production systems. A long-term field experiment investigated the combined effects of crop rotations and fertilization treatments on soil quality and crop yield. Results showed that longer crop rotations and soil amendment with manure had positive effects on soil quality indicators, nutrient content, and microbial biomass and activity, suggesting that these practices can help preserve soil quality and crop productivity in the long term.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marianna Barbalinardo, Michele Biagetti, Francesco Valle, Massimiliano Cavallini, Giuseppe Falini, Devis Montroni
Summary: A green biocompatible route for the deposition and simultaneous assembly of collagen/chitin composites was proposed using pH increment. The study found that the composition of collagen and chitin in different ratios can influence fibroblast growth.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Devis Montroni, Janet Leonard, Marco Rolandi, Giuseppe Falini
Summary: This study provides new insights into the composition and morphology of the internal shell of Ariolimax californicus. The internal shell is mainly composed of proteins and beta-chitin, organized in layers with CaCO3 crystal formation. The dorsal and ventral sides of the shell serve different purposes in calcium storage, indicating a dynamic process of biomineralization in calcium-poor environments.
JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Luigi Sciubba, Martina Mazzon, Luciano Cavani, Elena Baldi, Moreno Toselli, Claudio Ciavatta, Claudio Marzadori
Summary: The study highlights that natural recolonization of trees can significantly increase organic carbon and nitrogen pools in the soil, while reducing enzyme activities, thus impacting soil fertility and carbon accumulation potential.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Devis Montroni, Andrea Simoni, Viviana Pasquini, Enrico Dinelli, Claudio Ciavatta, Carla Triunfo, Marco Secci, Claudio Marzadori, Pierantonio Addis, Giuseppe Falini
Summary: By studying the element concentration in the fan shell Pinna nobilis, it was found that the element concentration in the byssus can be applied as a non-lethal method to monitor this endangered species and its interaction with the elements in the growing environment.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wei Huang, Devis Montroni, Taifeng Wang, Satoshi Murata, Atsushi Arakaki, Michiko Nemoto, David Kisailus
Summary: Organisms have evolved tough structures over millions of years to enhance their competitiveness, reproductive ability, and resistance to environmental pressures. These structures display multiscale architectures and superior mechanical properties, and are achieved through organic-inorganic interactions and controlled synthesis. Applying these biological structures in engineering may have significant applications.
ACCOUNTS OF CHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Elena Baldi, Greta Polidori, Margherita Germani, Greta Nicla Larocca, Martina Mazzon, Gianluca Allegro, Chiara Pastore, Maurizio Quartieri, Claudio Marzadori, Ilaria Filippetti, Claudio Ciavatta, Moreno Toselli
Summary: The intensification of highly specialized viticulture has led to a decrease in soil fertility, which can be restored by using organic fertilizers. The experiment showed that the application of sewage sludge compost increased nitrogen availability but reduced yield and grape quality, while municipal organic waste compost improved yield and grape quality.
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Jung-Eun Lee, John Connolloy, Wen Yang, Guillaume Freychet, Taifeng Wang, Steven A. Herrera, Satoshi Murata, Phani Saketh Dasika, Devis Montroni, Anna Pohl, Chenhui Zhu, Mikhail Zhernenkov, Richard Wuhrer, Leigh Sheppard, Michiko Nemoto, Atsushi Arakaki, Pablo Zavattieri, David Kisailus
Summary: The radula system of chitons, intertidal mollusks, has a complex composite structure with different materials and mechanical properties. Understanding its structure and properties can inspire the production of high-performance materials in fields such as soft robotics, biotechnology, and the medical industry.
JOURNAL OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Devis Montroni, Matteo Di Giosia, Matteo Calvaresi, Giuseppe Falini
Summary: This study proposes a method of using lectins and carbohydrate-binding proteins as supramolecular linkers for polysaccharide functionalization. As a proof of concept, a deproteinized squid pen was successfully functionalized with fluorescence properties in a beta-chitin matrix, without altering its crystalline and hierarchical structure. This approach opens up new possibilities for the chemical modification of polysaccharides.
Article
Soil Science
Elena Baldi, Martina Mazzon, Luciano Cavani, Maurizio Quartieri, Moreno Toselli, Claudio Marzadori
Summary: Adequate plant nutrition and soil fertility can be achieved through sustainable agricultural management techniques. The use of organic amendments can improve plant performance and soil fertility, leading to a more sustainable agriculture.
NUTRIENT CYCLING IN AGROECOSYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Devis Montroni, Takeru Kobayashi, Taige Hao, Derek Lublin, Tomoko Yoshino, David Kisailus
Summary: A multivariable additive manufacturing process, direct ink write printing, was developed to control different architectural features from the nano- to the millimeter scale. This process allows customization of material features through a single variable, the nozzle's internal diameter (NID).
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL BIOMATERIALS
(2022)
