Baddi University of Emerging Sciences and Technology (BUEST), formerly the Institute of Engineering and Emerging Technology (IEET), commonly referred to as Baddi University, is a private university located at Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, India. It was recognized as a university in 2009.
The Lantana genus, especially L. camara, has emerged as a potential yet underutilized lignocellulosic feedstock for various catalytic thermochemical conversion products and advanced carbon materials. This study reviews recent developments in the valorization of Lantana biomass to generate biofuels, bio-oil, syngas, and engineered biochar materials through pyrolysis, gasification, hydrothermal processing, and integrated biorefinery processes, in a critical manner. Particular focus will be on nanocomposite-modified, metal-doped biochar with catalytic elements such as ZSM-5, Fe3O4, TiO2, and Ni-, Co-, and Zn-based oxides to enhance deoxygenation, catalytic cracking, tar reforming, pollutant remediation, and energy storage. Recent developments in catalyst synthesis techniques, such as impregnation, hydrothermal deposition, and in situ functionalization, are reviewed, along with characterization methods including BET, XRD, SEM/TEM, Raman spectroscopy, and XPS. The review further examines the impact of pore structure, surface chemistry, the presence of redox-active centers, and catalyst stability on product selectivity, syngas quality, and upgrading bio-oil performance. The effects of biochar on microbial immobilization, anaerobic digestion, and integrated biochemical conversion are discussed in detail, excluding thermochemical effects. The challenges of catalyst deactivation, biomass heterogeneities, scalability, techno-economic viability, and decentralized biomass logistics are also discussed. In summary, the development and implementation of catalytic reaction engineering, the design of nanocomposite biochar, and circular bioeconomy strategies have great potential to facilitate the conversion of invasive Lantana biomass into renewable fuels, multifunctional carbon materials, and environmentally friendly bioeconomy products.
This study presents details of the floristic diversity of the sub-class Polypetalae from the Kangra Valley in the North-Western Himalayas. The floristic survey recorded 360 populations belonging to 174 species, 82 genera, and 23 families. The principle families from the area are Fabaceae (34 taxa), Ranunculaceae (26 taxa), Rosaceae (22 taxa), Balsaminaceae and Brassicaceae (9 taxa each), Apiaceae and Caryophyllaceae (8 taxa each); Malvaceae and Onagraceae (7 taxa each); Geraniaceae (6 taxa), Caesalpiniaceae (5 taxa), Mimosaceae, Saxifragaceae, Tiliaceae and Violaceae (4 taxa each); Berberidaceae, Fumariaceae and Hypericaceae (3 taxa each); Oxalidaceae, Papaveraceae and Rutaceae (2 taxa each), whereas, Crassulaceae and Cucurbitaceae each are represented by single taxa. Genera such as Impatiens , Desmodium , Ranunculus , Potentilla , Indigofera , Geranium , and Epilobium contributed the maximum number of species. The herbs contributed 71% of the taxa, followed by shrubs (19%), climbers (7%), and trees (3%). The maximum number of taxa belongs to Mixed Coniferous Forests (79 taxa), followed by Tropical Forests (75 taxa), Sub-tropical Forests (49 taxa), Kharsu Oak Forests (48 taxa), Deodar Forests (39 taxa), Ban Oak Forests (36 taxa), and Alpine Pastures (34%). The species distribution depicts 24.13% taxa are exclusive to these forest types, whereas 75.86% taxa show widespread distribution. Further, five genera ( Pimpinella, Barbaraea, Momordica, Astragalus, Circaea ) and 46 wild species are added to the existing polypetalous flora of the Kangra Valley. Therefore, the study provides primary information about the plant checklist and the status of plant diversity in the sub-class Polypetalae in the region.
Heavy metal contamination of water is a major environmental and public health problem due to the toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulation of these contaminants. Carbon nanotube (CNT) based nanomaterials are being studied extensively because of their large specific surface area, tunable surface chemistry, high mechanical strength and fast adsorption rates. Among all the available technologies, this has proven to be an effective and sustainable treatment technology. In this review, recent development of CNT-based adsorbents for the removal of heavy metal ions from water has been critically discussed, highlighting the correlation between surface functionalization, adsorption mechanisms, operating conditions, regeneration and applicability. The effect of pH, temperature, contact time, adsorbent dosage and competing ions on adsorption performance is described. The corresponding mechanisms and the characterization techniques have been explored. The strategies for enhancing adsorption efficiency and selectivity have been emphasized. In addition, the challenges that must be overcome to achieve large-scale commercialization are reviewed, with synthesis cost, regeneration, environmental safety, real wastewater performance and sustainability being discussed. Lastly, future research directions focusing on scalable synthesis, computational modelling, life-cycle assessment and pilot-scale validation are given. This review summarizes the adsorption performance and implementation issues of CNT-based technologies for sustainable water and wastewater treatment and ultimately offers a comprehensive framework for the development of commercially viable technologies.
In this study, we introduce a novel ternary heterojunction composite, (BiO)2Co3/Co2P/BN, supported on magnetic biochar, synthesized via an in-situ hydrothermal method. Water pollution by pharmaceutical contaminants, particularly antibiotics like tetracycline (TCN), poses a serious threat to environmental and public health. Conventional treatment methods often fall short in completely removing such persistent pollutants. Hence, the development of efficient, stable, and visible-light-active photocatalysts remains a critical scientific challenge. The innovative design of this composite offers new insights into the enhancement of photocatalytic performance for wastewater treatment. The systematic optimization of synthesis parameters demonstrated a visible-light-active band gap of 2.45 eV and superior light-harvesting capability. The composite material exhibited exceptional catalytic performance in the degradation of tetracycline (TCN) and real effluent samples (RES) collected from the pharmaceutical industry, achieving degradation efficiencies of 96.2 % for TCN and 89.3 % for RES within 1 h under optimized conditions. Notably, the composite also demonstrated remarkable adsorption properties, 92.2 % and 78.4 % adsorption for TCN and RES, respectively, within 2 h. The attained outcomes were accredited to the synergistic interactions among boron nitride, cobalt phosphide and bismuth-oxy-carbonate, which contribute to enhanced charge separation, effective generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a favourable band structure for photocatalysis. Investigations on the influence of operational parameters such as pH, catalyst dosage, and competing ions on catalytic performance were done and hydroxyl radicals were identified as the primary reactive species driving the degradation process. The identification of active pharmaceutical ingredients in RES and mineralization of TCN was established by LC-HRMS, leading to successful elucidation of the degradation mechanism. The high mineralization efficiency was further supported by COD and TOC measurements, reinforcing the potential of this composite for real-world applications. The study, thus, offers a strategic approach to designing next-generation photocatalysts for sustainable environmental cleanup. Finally, the catalyst's reusability over four cycles for RES fortifies its practicality and long-term stability, demonstrating its promise as an effective, environmentally relevant photocatalyst for wastewater treatment.
The release of hazardous dyes and heavy metals from the textile industry into lakes, rivers, and groundwater is becoming a major issue, significantly raising pollution levels in these water bodies. Conventional water treatment methods often struggle to eliminate these contaminants effectively, underscoring the need for more advanced wastewater treatment techniques. In this study, the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using an aqueous seed extract of Zanthoxylum armatum has been investigated, presenting an eco-friendly and sustainable approach to nanoparticle production. The unique phytochemicals in the seed extract not only facilitate the reduction and stabilization of nanoparticles but also enhance their catalytic efficiency in the degradation of organic dyes, offering a novel method for environmental remediation. The formation of AgNPs followed a first-order kinetic mechanism, characterized by slow nucleation and rapid autocatalytic growth, as evidenced by rate constants (k₁ and k₂). UV–Vis spectroscopy showed a maximum absorption peak at 414 nm, indicating successful nanoparticle formation. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy affirmed spherical particles with a mean size of 7.3 nm, while X-ray diffraction confirmed their crystalline structure. Factors such as AgNO3 concentration, temperature, pH, and reaction time were found to influence nanoparticle size and distribution, with optimal formation observed at pH 10. Additionally, the use of water as a solvent and exposure to light resulted in smaller, more uniform nanoparticles. These biosynthesized silver nanoparticles demonstrate superior adsorption properties, making them highly effective in the catalytic degradation of organic dyes in aqueous solutions. Kinetic and mechanistic studies on nanoparticle growth, as well as the factors that influence their formation, are restricted, yet critical for scale-up applications. The current study provides insights into optimizing reaction conditions and understanding the underlying chemical processes, contributing to developing efficient and sustainable wastewater treatment methods.
