BACKGROUND A novel catalyst sodium alginate carbon nitride composite beads loaded with silver and manganese ions (Ag-Mn3O4/SA/CNBs) synthesized through an ionic gelation method to effectively reduce the organic pollutants.RESULTS Catalyst is characterized by XRD, SEM, ICP, and FTIR to confirm the successful synthesis of the catalyst. The crystallinity of the catalyst was observed by XRD. SEM confirmed the flakes-like solid structure of sodium alginate carbon nitride beads (SA/CNBs) and the random structure morphology of Ag-Mn3O4/SA/CNBs. The adsorption capacity of Ag-Mn ions on SA/CNBs was measured by ICP and revealed that the adsorption of Ag is greater than Mn ions. FTIR examined the essential functional groups of catalysts. The catalyst was used with the reducing agent NaBH4 against Rh, RB, MB, MO, Eosin, and MR to check the % reduction. Results reveal that Ag-Mn3O4/SA/CNBs is a promising catalyst in the reduction of organic pollutants in wastewater treatment.CONCLUSION % Reduction of Eosin is maximum (92) and MB is minimum (47.42), MR takes a shorter time (2.5 min) to reduce among all dyes, and Rh B takes maximum reduction time (22). All the reduction reactions follow pseudo-first-order reactions. (c) 2026 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
BACKGROUND Printing ink wastewater (PIW) contains high concentrations of organic matter, suspended solids, and colorants that challenge conventional treatment methods. Electrocoagulation-electroflotation (EC/EF) has emerged as a promising technique for such complex effluents. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of EC/EF using aluminum, iron, and stainless-steel electrodes for PIW treatment and to assess performance improvements when coupled in a single step with adsorbents, such as palygorskite (EC/EF-P) and zeolite (EC/EF-Z). RESULTS Initial optimization focused on pH (5.0, 6.0, 7.5) and electrode type. Varying initial COD concentrations (similar to 10 000-27 000 mg/L) had negligible impact on removal efficiencies, which remained high: COD (>90%), total suspended solids (>99%) and color (>90%). Notably, at lower initial COD levels (12 000 and 9970 mg/L), effluent COD concentrations were reduced below 1000 mg/L, meeting the discharge limits of the regional centralized wastewater treatment plant. The EC/EF-P and EC/EF-Z systems revealed that adsorbent addition significantly enhanced process performance. Palygorskite (6.0 g/L) accelerated COD removal, particularly under suboptimal electrochemical conditions, indicating its synergy with the EC/EF process. Zeolite (6.0 g/L) at pH 6.0 increased COD removal rate to 73.28 mg/(Lh) (20 min), compared to 48.38 mg/(L center dot h) (30 min) with palygorskite. CONCLUSION These findings highlight EC/EF, especially when augmented with adsorbents, as a highly effective strategy for rapid and compliant treatment of high-strength industrial wastewater. (c) 2026 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
The use of laccases to oxidize phenolics found in biomass hydrolysates is gaining interest in the biorefinery concept because this biological detoxification method makes them less inhibitory to fermenting microorganisms, thereby increasing the productivity of metabolites of interest. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a heterologous fungal laccase displayed on the cell wall surface of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in detoxifying concentrated and diluted teak wood hydrolysate (TWH), supplemented with glucose. The yeast strain demonstrated the ability to oxidize phenolics in the TWH through the laccase present on the cell surface, thereby enhancing ethanol production parameters when compared to the control strain, which did not express laccase. Kinetic analysis of cell growth and ethanol production by the control strain indicated its capability to grow and produce ethanol at TWH concentrations of 20% and 40% (v/v). In contrast, the strain expressing laccase displayed the ability to grow and produce ethanol from TWH at concentrations of up to 80%, reducing the phenolic concentration by as much as 54%. The results observed indicate that the improvement in the strain's performance regarding cell growth and ethanol production in diluted TWH is due to the simultaneous oxidation of phenolics by the laccase exhibited during the fermentation. However, even with the expression of laccase, the strain could not thrive in concentrated hydrolysate due to additional inhibitors, such as furans and organic acids, which were not addressed by laccase and may have had an inhibitory effect on the cells, acting either independently or synergistically. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
BACKGROUND To address the problem of depleting phosphorus resources, citric acid-enhanced sludge hydrothermal carbonization was employed to achieve a one-step phosphorus recovery from sludge.RESULTS The results showed that, under the temperature, reaction time and citric acid dosage of 210 degrees C, 4 h, and 20 mmol/L, respectively, the rate of release of phosphorus could reach 87.0% of the total phosphorus (TP) of sludge, whereas the concentrations of TP and PO43- in hydrothermal solution could reach 227.7 mg/L and 213.4 mg/L, respectively.CONCLUSIONS During the hydrothermal carbonization of sludge, citric acid could improve the disintegration of sludge by chelating with polyvalent cations and acid hydrolysis, thereby promoting the release of phosphorus and metal ions. Moreover, citric acid chelated with the released metal ions, hindering their combination with phosphate to form metal phosphate precipitates that could be re-enriched in the sludge hydrothermal carbon. Furthermore, citric acid decreased the proportion of inorganic phosphorus (IP) in the sludge hydrothermal carbon and increased the proportion of organic phosphorus (OP) in the sludge hydrothermal carbon, while it also promoted the transformation of apatite inorganic phosphorus (AIP) to non-apatite inorganic phosphorus (NAIP). Citric acid-enhanced hydrothermal carbonization reduced the content of ash in the sludge hydrothermal carbon and increased its calorific value. The work proposes a novel method for the simultaneous recovery of phosphorus and carbon resources from sludge and realizes the high-value utilization of sludge. (c) 2026 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
BACKGROUND Fluoroquinolone antibiotics (FQs) such as ciprofloxacin (CIP) and ofloxacin (OFL) are persistent contaminants in wastewater, posing significant environmental and health risks. Their simultaneous removal remains challenging. Advanced oxidation processes based on peroxydisulfate (PDS) activation offer a promising solution but often require efficient and stable catalysts. This study aims to develop a novel core-shell carbon-coated perovskite catalyst for the simultaneous and efficient degradation of these pollutants.RESULTS A core-shell LaCuFeO3@C catalyst was successfully synthesized via a sol-gel method using citric acid/EDTA as an integrated carbon source, followed by calcination and acid etching. The LaCuFeO3@C/PDS system achieved 100% degradation of both CIP and OFL within 30 min using only 0.5 mM PDS and 0.2 g/L catalyst. The catalyst demonstrated excellent stability, retaining high removal efficiencies for CIP (91.9%) and OFL (93.4%) after 4 consecutive cycles. Furthermore, the carbon coating conferred exceptional resistance to high concentrations of interfering anions (100 g/L of Cl- and SO(4)2-). The core-shell structure, confirmed by TEM-EDS analysis, provides nano-cavities that enhance reactant diffusion, enrich pollutants via adsorption, and facilitate efficient PDS activation.CONCLUSION The LaCuFeO3@C catalyst presents an efficient, robust, and sustainable strategy for the simultaneous removal of complex fluoroquinolone pollutants in wastewater, even under challenging high-salinity conditions. Its superior performance and stability are attributed to the synergistic adsorption-enrichment-activation mechanism within the unique core-shell architecture. (c) 2026 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
BACKGROUND: Bio-based oleic acid pentaerythritol ester (PETO) is a crucial green feedstock for high-end high-temperature lubricants. Existing synthesis processes are hindered by low catalytic efficiency, high energy consumption, and suboptimal yields. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to develop an efficient, low-energy green synthesis process for PETO. METHOD: A 'dibutyltin oxide (DBTO) + tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB)' dual-catalyst system was used, and the transesterification process was optimized by 'single-factor prescreening-Box-Behnken response surface optimization'. RESULTS: The optimization model showed high reliability (R-2 > 0.99). Under optimized conditions (DBTO 1.56%, TBAB 0.7%, 269.86 degrees C, molar ratio 4.71:1, 4 h), PETO yield reached 96.89%, far exceeding conventional processes. TBAB synergistically enhances DBTO's catalytic efficiency by reducing interfacial resistance, and no water-carrying agent is needed. SIGNIFICANCE: The integrated DBTO+TBAB dual-catalyst and RSM system provides a green, scalable PETO synthesis solution, facilitating industrial application and conforming to sustainable manufacturing principles. (c) 2026 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
BACKGROUND Lithium-ion sieve adsorption is considered the most promising method for lithium recovery from salt lakes, although efficiency limitations restrict its industrial application.RESULTS In this work, the network structure adsorption membrane with excellent photothermal conversion capability was developed for efficient lithium extraction from salt lakes. The designed network structure of H4Mn5O12/MnO2 nanowires membrane ensures sufficient contact between the solution and Lithium-ion sieve adsorption sites, while its outstanding photothermal properties further enhance Li+ adsorption. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that the H4Mn5O12/MnO2 nanowires membrane surface temperature reaches 66 degrees C under 1.0 sun illumination. Adsorption kinetic data revealed a lithium adsorption capacity of 16.07 mg/g under 1.0 sun illumination, representing a 5.11 mg/g improvement compared to dark conditions. Furthermore, the H4Mn5O12/MnO2 nanowires membrane exhibited excellent adsorption selectivity and cycling performance.CONCLUSION Therefore, this work provides a promising strategy for developing high-performance lithium-ion sieve composites to meet the growing demand for lithium recovery from brine. (c) 2026 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
The globe will continue to confront major issues with environmental sustainability and energy in the years to come. As a result, it is crucial to pursue sustainable development to protect the environment and make the most of renewable energy sources. One promising approach involves using natural microorganisms to generate energy from affordable substrates through Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs). These bioelectrochemical systems work by harnessing the ability of microbes to break down organic materials. This process releases electrons that travel through an external circuit, producing power. This review explores the basic principles and concepts behind MFCs, while also considering the key factors affecting their performance. The review provides a detailed analysis of MFCs, focusing on the characteristics and functions of exoelectrogens and the optimal conditions necessary for their efficient operation. It also discusses the working principles and mechanisms of MFCs, including recent advancements in the field. The primary focus of the review is on the potential and practical applications of this sustainable energy technology. It details various real-world uses, including biosensors, electronic devices, desalination, and environmental bioremediation. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emission due to urbanization and industrialization are the key factors behind global warming and climate changes. United Nations in 2018, stated that, due to CO 2 emissions, earth's temperature would increase 1.5 °C between 2032 and 2050. Variation in climatic conditions will definitely have a huge impact on human health and ecosystem. To mimic the CO 2 emission, various countries have put forward laws and policies. This review focuses primarily on the biological and photocatalytic reduction of CO 2 to valuable products like chemicals and fuels. This review provides valuable information on the reduction of CO 2 to valuable products and benefits the researchers, academics, and industrial personnel on resource recovery concepts. Photo reactor design and operating conditions define the level of CO 2 conversion efficiency. Algae-based CO 2 utilization and recovery of products from algae biomass are explored for biofuel production process. However, the storage capacity of products, bulk processing of CO 2 are needed in future research perspectives. Overall, this study strongly contributes towards achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
BACKGROUND Iron-based materials can optimize the metabolic activity of anaerobic microorganisms by regulating the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of the anaerobic degradation system, thereby promoting the chain scission of organic matter. In this study, a one-pot synthesis approach was utilized to fabricate Fe-C, Fe-N-C, and Fe-S-C materials, which were subsequently compared with nano-zero-valent iron (nZVI). A series of microbial metabolic activity experiments were conducted to evaluate the capabilities of these diverse materials in regulating ORP in anaerobic environments.RESULTS When the dosage of Fe-C material is 0.5 g L-1, it attains an optimal redox potential of -360 mV, at which point it achieves nearly the highest degradation efficiency for pure terephthalic acid (PTA). Moreover, the regulation of ORP exhibits a more significant effect on boosting the methanogenesis phase. Lower ORP is beneficial to promote the enrichment of microorganisms engaged in methanogenic co-metabolism. Characterization analyses indicate that the high proportions of Fe0 and Fe2+/Fe3+ within the Fe-C material contribute to improved electron transfer efficiency, thereby enhancing its capacity for ORP regulation.CONCLUSIONS The excellent ORP regulation capability of Fe-C material is closely related to its superior electron transfer efficiency. These findings indicate that Fe-C material is a promising ORP regulation catalyst, providing crucial parameters and theoretical support for the enhancement of industrial wastewater anaerobic treatment processes. (c) 2026 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
BACKGROUND Metronidazole is a persistent antibiotic pollutant in aquatic environments, posing ecological and health risks due to its chemical stability and low biodegradability. This study evaluates the influence of three graphene quantum dot (GQD) modifications (heteroatom-doped N,S-GQDs, surface-hydroxylated NaOH-GQDs, and polymer-modified PANI-GQDs) and MIL-100(Fe) synergy in a hybrid PVDF/PEI membrane for efficient antibiotic removal. RESULTS The modified membranes exhibited Metronidazole rejection rates of 51%, 90%, and 63% for N,S-GQD, NaOH-GQD, and PANI-GQD coatings, respectively, compared to 68% for the uncoated hybrid membrane. The photocatalytic efficiency followed the order NaOH-GQD > N,S-GQD > uncoated membrane > PANI-GQD, with the NaOH-GQD-coated membrane showing the highest degradation rate (K-1 = 0.0119 min(-1), R-2 = 0.99). CONCLUSION The heterojunction NaOH-GQD coating on the MIL-100(Fe) framework facilitated pollutant interaction and enhanced photocatalytic degradation, enabling efficient and stable antibiotic removal through a coupled nanofiltration and photocatalytic process. This work introduces a scalable and durable membrane photocatalyst platform that couples nanofiltration and visible-light photocatalysis, offering a promising route for sustainable water purification. (c) 2026 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
The sustainable valorization of lignocellulosic biomass into high-value nanomaterials is gaining momentum as an alternative to synthetic nanoparticles, driven by their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and broad applicability. Nanocellulose and nanolignin, derived from cellulose and lignin extracted from agricultural and forestry residues, offer potential in packaging, medicine, energy, and advanced materials. However, the intrinsic recalcitrance of lignocellulosic feedstocks necessitates efficient pre-treatment strategies that are both environmentally responsible and industrially viable. This review explores recent advances in eco-friendly methods for the extraction of cellulose and lignin, with particular emphasis on ionic liquids (ILs), deep eutectic solvents (DESs), and catalytic systems. ILs demonstrate high dissolution and recycling potential, DESs provide tunability and low toxicity, while catalysts—such as zeolites and metal oxides—enhance selectivity and lignin-first valorization. The integration of complementary techniques, including microwave- and ultrasound-assisted extractions, further improve efficiency. To evaluate the sustainability of these emerging processes, the Path2Green framework was applied. Results show that, despite frequent claims of ‘green’ performance, most IL- and DES-based systems achieved only neutral or slightly negative sustainability scores, largely due to synthetic origins, energy demands, and limited recycling. Catalytic flow-through processes achieved the most favorable profiles, highlighting the importance of solvent choice, closed-loop design, and scalability. Overall, progress demonstrates that no universal solution exists; instead, feedstock-specific, integrated approaches are essential. Future directions should prioritize bio-based solvents, closed-loop recycling, renewable energy integration, and standardized reporting to bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and industrial application. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
BACKGROUND Dairy wastewater (DWW) is characterized by high organic and suspended solid loads and its treatment remains a challenge for sustainable dairy industry operation. This study evaluates electrocoagulation-electroflotation (EC/EF) with aluminum electrodes for treating real DWW under both batch and continuous-flow conditions. RESULTS Experiments were performed in situ at the industry using fresh wastewater with variable initial pH (5.0-7.0), chemical oxygen demand (COD0:10800-3200 mg/L), and total suspended solids (TSS: 880-2030 mg/L). Batch experiments at current intensities of 0.15, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 A showed that 0.25 A (89.2 A/m(2)) was particularly effective, achieving 79.75% COD and 95.76% TSS removal within 10 min at 10800 mg/L COD0 and natural pH 5.33, with low energy consumption (0.14 kWh/m3) and aluminum dissolution (27.96 g/m3). For adjusted initial pH values of 5, 6, and 7 and COD0 = 3200 mg/L, maximum COD and TSS removal occurred at pH 5, likely due to its proximity to the isoelectric point (similar to pH 3.7). Similarly, for COD0 = 6200 mg/L, treatment at natural pH 6 yielded 79.22% COD and 90.37% TSS removal. At 4500 mg/L COD0, maintaining natural pH 6.7 reduced treatment time from 30 to 20 min while sustaining COD removal (similar to 63%), although TSS removal dropped by similar to 36%. Continuous-flow experiments at COD0 = 6500 mg/L achieved steady-state removal of similar to 72% COD of and 98% TSS at pH 5 with a 15-min hydraulic retention time. CONCLUSION Overall, EC/EF proved technically viable, energy-efficient, and effective for high-strength DWW treatment, supporting its use as a pretreatment step in decentralized or industrial wastewater treatment systems. (c) 2026 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
BACKGROUND Research on breastmilk passive immunity requires enriching antibodies from complex samples for downstream assays. Currently, most chromatographic IgG purification processes meet the required purity level but could compromise the tridimensional structure of IgG and, therefore, their functionality. This work aims to establish mild chromatography strategies, using the Melon (TM) Gel Purification Kit, to purify IgG from human plasma and colostrum. The effect of multiple experimental parameters, such as purification steps, initial protein concentration, and sample volume, was tested. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) was used as a complementary step. The in vitro functionality of the enriched IgG from both tissues was tested by a phagocytosis assay with peripheral blood neutrophils and E. coli bioparticles.RESULTS In human plasma, the initial protein concentration was inversely proportional to the IgG purity, being linear in the range between 1.5 and 4.5 mg mL-1, where the IgG purity ranged between 55 and 97%. The adjustment of plasma samples at 1.5 mg mL-1 of total protein increased the IgG purity up to 98% in a single purification step. On the other hand, when the protein concentration of colostrum samples was adjusted, IgG purity reached only 9.3%. The maximum IgG purity of colostrum samples was 25% after two purification steps. The remaining contaminant proteins can be eliminated by SEC. Finally, IgG samples showed significant enhanced phagocytosis by peripheral blood neutrophils.CONCLUSIONS The present work provides chromatographic purification strategies for purifying and enriching IgG (avoiding structural modifications) from complex and volume-limited samples. (c) 2025 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
BACKGROUND 3-Chloro-4-fluoroaniline (4), a key intermediate in synthesizing quinolone drugs and pesticides, is widely used in the fine chemical industry. Existing synthetic methods face challenges such as high raw material costs, toxic reagents, safety hazards from by-products, high energy consumption, impurities in crude products, and increasing post-processing expenses. In order to overcome these challenges, the present study focuses on the optimization of the synthetic route utilizing o-dichlorobenzene as the primary feedstock, a reagent widely adopted in existing industrial-scale manufacturing processes. RESULTS This study represents the initial phase, wherein 3,4-dichloronitrobenzene (2) is synthesized via the nitration of o-dichlorobenzene (1) employing a mixed acid system consisting of concentrated nitric acid and sulfuric acid. Compared to the initial process, this optimized approach significantly minimizes the formation of dinitrobenzene by-products, thereby effectively reducing the safety risks associated with industrial-scale production. In the second step, the reaction utilizes potassium fluoride, tetramethylammonium chloride, and N,N-dimethylformamide as key reagents, which effectively lower both the process temperature and reaction time. Additionally, the product can be directly used in subsequent reactions without requiring distillation, thereby significantly improving process efficiency and reducing overall production costs. This optimized procedure produces 3-chloro-4-fluoronitrobenzene (3) with high purity (98.26%) and an excellent yield (88.34%). In the third step of the process optimization, a reduction in both reaction temperature and dehalogenation byproducts was achieved compared to the initial conditions. This modification not only mitigated potential safety hazards but also enhanced the atom economy of the reaction. In the final step, purified 3 was subjected to catalytic hydrogenation at 40 degrees C under 0.95 MPa H-2 in ethanol, affording compound 4 with a purity of >99% and a yield of >96%. The overall yield of the process reached approximately 72%. CONCLUSION This study presents an optimized process that enhances yield and simplifies the purification procedure, thereby providing a potential reference for the synthesis of pharmaceutical and agrochemical intermediates. (c) 2025 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
BACKGROUND: Copper ion contamination in wastewater presents significant environmental and health challenges. Hydrogels, particularly those with three-dimensional networks based on sodium alginate (SA), are promising adsorbents. This study aimed to develop an enhanced hydrogel adsorbent by crosslinking SA with Ca2+ (forming SC hydrogel) and subsequently modifying it via in situ formation of magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)(2)) to create SC-Mg(OH)(2), specifically targeting efficient Cu2+ removal. RESULTS: The formation mechanism and structure of SC-Mg(OH)(2) were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Under optimized conditions (pH = 5, 298.15 K, adsorbent dosage 1 g L-1, initial Cu2+ concentration 100 mg L-1, contact time 480 min), the composite hydrogel achieved a high Cu2+ removal efficiency of 95.75% and a maximum adsorption capacity of 253.37 mg g(-1). The adsorption kinetics conformed to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R-2 = 0.99977). When adsorption reached equilibrium, it fitted the Langmuir isotherm model (R-2 = 0.99128) with a negative Delta G, which indicated that the reaction involved spontaneous chemical adsorption and monolayer adsorption. CONCLUSION: The novel SC-Mg(OH)(2) hydrogel, synthesized by in situ loading of Mg(OH)(2) on SC, demonstrates exceptional efficacy for Cu2+ adsorption. The high removal efficiency (>95%) and substantial adsorption capacity (253.37 mg g(-1)) surpass those of many conventional adsorbents. The adsorption process, well characterized by pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Langmuir model, confirms the material's potential. This work presents SC-Mg(OH)(2) as a highly effective and advanced adsorbent, significantly contributing to the development of functional hydrogel materials for remediating heavy metal pollution in wastewater. (c) 2025 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
BACKGROUND Mesotrione, a key herbicide for weed management and yield improvement in broad-leaved crops including corn, is synthesized with 2-nitro-4-methylsulfonylbenzoic acid (NMSBA) as an important intermediate. The commercial synthesis of NMSBA typically begins with the nitration of 4-methylsulfonyltoluene to form 2-nitro-4-methanesulfonyltoluene (NMST), followed by oxidation with nitric acid. However, the utilization of nitric acid gives rise to severe environmental and ecological concerns due to its corrosive nature and inherent hazards. Consequently, there is an imperative need to develop a sustainable and green oxidation process for the conversion of NMST to NMSBA in order to mitigate the reliance on chemical oxidants and their associated environmental impacts.RESULTS The synthesis of NMSBA, a catalytic system composed of Co, Mn, Br and sandwich-type polyoxometalate, has been developed to aid the oxidation of NMST to NMSBA by air. The sandwich-type polyoxometalate (POM) {K10CoxMn4-x(H2O)2P2W18O68} was synthesized and the best Co/Mn atomic ratio was determined to be 1.5:2.5. The doping of Ce in the POM as a counter-cationic metal improved the selectivity to NMSBA, and the best Ce/K atomic ratio was determined to be 1:7. The immobilization of {CeK7Co1.5Mn2.5(H2O)2P2W18O68} on activated carbon (AC) not only enhanced the reaction rate and the production of NMSBA but also reduced the amount of POM used. The optimal loading amount of the POM on AC was 20%.CONCLUSION Experiments revealed that the catalytic system composed of Co, Mn, Br and {K10Co1.5Mn2.5(H2O)2P2W18O68} was superior to the catalytic system consisting of Co, Mn, Br and heteropoly acids H3PW12O40/H3PMo12O40. The catalytic performance of {CeK7Co1.5Mn2.5(H2O)2P2 W18O68}/AC exceeded that of H3PMo3W9O40/AC in the production of NMSBA by oxidizing NMST with oxygen. (c) 2025 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
BACKGROUND Porous carbon (PC) and nitrogen-doped porous carbon (NDPC) were synthesized using a hydrothermal method. Glucose served as the precursor for PC formation through polymerization and carbonization, while urea acted as the nitrogen source for NDPC synthesis. Activation with potassium hydroxide (KOH) created active sites on NDPC, facilitating the incorporation of manganese (Mn) nanoparticles through an adsorption method. Mn-PC and Mn-NDPC were further used for the catalytic reduction of harmful compounds from water.RESULTS Various characterization techniques confirmed successful synthesis and modification; for instance, SEM revealed a sheet-like morphology for PC, oval shapes for Mn-PC, and rod/cubic structures for Mn-NDPC. STEM analysis highlighted pore integration with Mn nanoparticles, and EDX confirmed the presence of Mn, C, and O elements. XRD analysis indicated that MnO2 exhibited high crystallinity with a monoclinic structure, while PC demonstrated lower crystallinity with a triclinic phase. BET analysis showed that Mn-NDPC exhibited a higher surface area compared to Mn-PC. Both Mn-PC and Mn-NDPC were evaluated as catalysts for nitroarene reductions (2-NP, 4-NP, 2,4-DNP, and PA). Key catalytic parameters, including rate constant (kapp), reduction time, percentage reduction, and half-life, were assessed.CONCLUSION Mn-NDPC demonstrated superior performance in PA reduction, achieving the highest kapp (0.1405 min-1), the shortest reduction time (50 min), and the lowest half-life (4.9 min), with a slightly lower percentage reduction (89.5%) compared to other nitroarenes. Catalytic efficiency was further investigated using methanol and phenol as quenching agents, highlighting the potential of Mn-NDPC for advanced catalytic applications. (c) 2025 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
BACKGROUND Lanthanum catalyst supported on halloysite nanotubes (La/HNTs) was explored for the degradation of liquid epoxidized natural rubber (LENR) into low molecular weight LENR (lmw-LENR). The La/HNT catalyst was synthesized using a simple impregnation method and characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). These techniques were employed to examine the physicochemical properties of the catalyst and to evaluate its performance in LENR degradation.RESULT The characterization revealed the presence of lanthanum hydroxide (La(OH)(3)-n) species on the HNT surface. The La/HNTs effectively reduced the average molecular weight of LENR from 26 360 to 6961, corresponding to a 73.6% reduction under optimum conditions of 0.5 g catalyst loading at 150 degrees C for 4 h in a batch reactor. The degradation mechanism was attributed to hydroxide ions attacking the oxirane ring, leading to chain scission and the formation of shorter LENR chains. NMR and FTIR analyses confirmed the successful ring opening and cleavage of C=C bonds, while the catalyst retained its structural integrity. Catalyst performance was strongly influenced by particle size, hydroxyl availability, and metal-support interactions.CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the efficiency of La/HNT catalysts in promoting LENR degradation via hydroxide-driven chain scission. The significant reduction in molecular weight highlights their potential application in rubber processing and recycling, offering a sustainable approach to valorizing epoxidized rubber materials. (c) 2025 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
BACKGROUND Cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL) is an agro-industrial residue from cashew production that has gained relevance due to its possibilities to generate valuable by-products. Although lab-scale CNSL extraction has been studied in terms of yield and energy efficiency, the effect of industrial-scale extraction and nut pre-treatment methods on the physicochemical properties of the extract remains underexplored. Thus, this work focuses on using a multiscale approach to study the relationship between the most common extraction (Soxhlet and mechanical pressing) and pre-treatment processes (roasting and steaming) with CNSL chemical composition and its physicochemical properties. RESULTS The study revealed minimal variations (<0.5% w/w) on phenolic lipids mass fraction of different CNSL samples. However, Soxhlet extracted samples revealed an increase of 2.9%-6.7% (w/w) of cardanol content, as well as 50% lower viscosity and 34% lower saponification value than pressed CNSL samples. Additionally, the study demonstrated that pre-treatment operation influences CNSL composition since CNSL from raw nuts exhibits 35% less amount of phenolic lipids than pre-treated samples. Samples from raw nuts also exhibited vibration of ester groups on their FTIR spectra, which may indicate the presence of diacylglycerols. CONCLUSION The findings demonstrate that while extraction methods have limited effect on CNSL physicochemical properties, nut pre-treatment markedly alters its chemical nature. By clarifying how pre-treatment impacts CNSL quality, this work reduces technological barriers for cashew producers and processors, enabling informed selection of efficient methods for transforming CNSL into valuable by-products, and enhancing the economic and sustainable utilization of this bioresource. (c) 2025 The Author(s). Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
