Abstract BACKGROUND Textile industries discharge synthetic dyes into water bodies that resist conventional treatment, causing serious environmental and health hazards. Electrochemical advanced oxidation using carbon electrodes (graphite) offers an effective alternative by generating hydroxyl radicals that break down recalcitrant dye molecules. Despite its potential, most systems lack real‐world automation and renewable energy integration needed for practical deployment. This study shows that integrating readily available sensors and renewable energy could translate into industrial settings. RESULTS The solar‐powered electrochemical system achieved progressive dye degradation, confirmed by real‐time sensor monitoring. The carbon electrode assembly remained stable throughout treatment, while the Internet of Things (IoT)‐enabled microcontroller continuously logged concentration and electrical parameters, transmitting live data to a mobile interface. Dye concentration from 5 to 100 ppm was easily degraded up to ca 99% in 10–180 min with electrical power consumption ranging from 0.5 to 5 kWh m −3 . Automated feedback between sensors and power regulation reduced energy consumption during low dye‐load periods, improving overall treatment efficiency. CONCLUSION This study presents a functional, IoT‐controlled electrochemical system using carbon electrodes for treatment of industrial dye‐containing wastewater. By integrating solar power, real‐time sensing, and remote automation, the system offers a scalable and sustainable solution for dye‐intensive industries such as textiles and leather processing. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Abstract BACKGROUND Selenium‐enriched microbial fermentation residues contain both carbonaceous material and biologically incorporated selenium but are often underutilized. Developing sustainable strategies to convert these residues into value‐added functional nanomaterials is important for waste minimization and circular bioeconomy. This study aimed to directly synthesize selenium‐doped carbon dots (Se‐LCDs) from selenium‐enriched Lactobacillus fermentation residues through a one‐step hydrothermal process and evaluate their physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, biocompatibility, and potential techno‐economic advantages. RESULTS Hydrothermal treatment at 200 °C for 12 or 20 h produced quasi‐spherical Se‐LCDs with mean diameters of 8.5 ± 0.5 and 2.3 ± 0.7 nm, respectively. Longer treatment decreased the measured Se content and particle size while increasing nitrogen retention. Both samples showed excitation‐dependent fluorescence, with maximum emission at 420 nm under 340 nm excitation, and ABTS radical‐scavenging rates of 37.99% (Se‐LCD1) and 36.76% (Se‐LCD2). No obvious inhibition zones were observed against the three tested bacterial strains. Cell‐viability responses depended on cell type and dilution: high‐dose treatments reduced viability in some mouse‐cell conditions, whereas increased viability was observed in HUVEC and HT‐29 cells. These effects are consistent with possible contributions from particle size, surface functional groups, and heteroatom composition, although the underlying cellular mechanisms were not directly tested. A preliminary scenario‐based estimate suggested lower precursor costs when Se‐enriched biomass was used instead of purified organoselenium reagents. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates a sustainable route for valorizing selenium‐enriched microbial residues into Se‐LCDs with antioxidant activity and biocompatibility, providing a promising platform for sustainable bioprocessing, renewable bioresource utilization, and circular bioeconomy. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Abstract Glyphosate and parabens are chemically distinct emerging contaminants whose field monitoring is constrained by complex matrices and by the cost and infrastructure requirements of conventional laboratory methods. This review evaluates whether biomass‐derived carbon materials, fused deposition modeling (FDM), and portable electrochemical instrumentation can be combined into a coherent platform for decentralized analysis of these analytes. The review is organized around the sensing chain rather than around broad surveys of electrochemistry or additive manufacturing: analyte‐recognition requirements; biomass‐derived electrode modifiers; FDM fabrication and activation; and low‐cost potentiostatic readout. Glyphosate and parabens are used as complementary model analytes to assess the platform's adaptability. Biomass‐derived porous carbons can provide surface area, functional groups, and routes for heteroatom or metal modification, while FDM can reduce device cost and sample volume and enable customized cells. However, commercial conductive filaments contain an insulating polymer and commonly require activation. Most importantly, the reviewed literature does not yet establish a mature class of FDM‐printed, biomass‐derived sensors validated specifically for both glyphosate and parabens. Existing evidence is distributed across carbon‐paste, screen‐printed, molecularly imprinted, and non‐target FDM studies. The strongest research opportunity is therefore not merely to miniaturize existing electrodes, but to co‐designanalyte‐selective biochar–polymer filaments, printed cell geometry, activation, and portable electronics. Validation in real matrices, reproducible manufacturing, lifecycle assessment, and comparison with reference methods are required before claims of field readiness are justified. © 2026 The Author(s). Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Continuous neutral-alcohol and food-grade ethanol production is an energy-intensive process in which distillation and rectification alone account for 50-85% of total plant energy use. While significant advances in separation technology have emerged over the past two decades, the spirits industry continues to rely predominantly on multi-effect distillation configurations developed decades ago. This perspective paper evaluates intensified separation technologies for large-scale continuous production of food-grade ethanol. Special emphasis is on practical applicability within the constraints of spirit manufacturing, namely food-grade compatibility, congener management and retrofit feasibility. The ethanol-water azeotrope at 95.63 wt% (96.47 vol%) at atmospheric pressure remains the key thermodynamic challenge, though only for the high-strength distillate/neutral-alcohol stage as most finished spirits (bottled at ca 40 vol%) never approach it. Breaking or avoiding it without using (food-grade-incompatible) mass separating agents requires an actual rethinking of process design. Technologies are assessed against a technology readiness level (TRL) framework. Cyclic distillation and heat pump-assisted distillation are identified as near-term, deployment-ready solutions offering 30-70% energy savings at TRL 7-9. HIDiC, suitable for new plant designs, can reach up to 77% savings. Hybrid distillation-membrane separation is the most promising medium-term pathway combining high purity and low energy demand. Pass-through distillation emerges as a disruptive option enabling concurrent fermentation and alcohol recovery. A decision framework linking feed concentration, target purity, plant scale and capital constraints is proposed to guide technology selection for both new plants and retrofit applications. The findings highlight that the spirits sector is well positioned to reduce its carbon footprint and operating costs by adopting proven process intensification technologies that have demonstrated industrial viability in other sectors.
BACKGROUND Hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have emerged as sustainable alternatives for the extraction of bio-compounds from aqueous media. In this study, a hydrophobic DES is synthesized using tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) as hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) and decanoic acid as hydrogen bond donor (HBD) and employed to extract Gallic acid (GA) from an aqueous solution.RESULTS The prepared DES (1:1 of HBA:HBD) exhibited suitable physicochemical properties with density 0.89 gc m-3, viscosity 22.74 mPa-s, conductivity 1.03 S m-1, and pH 4.07. GA extraction is modeled and optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) coupled with central composite design (CCD) by varying initial GA concentration (0.02-0.10 kmol m-3), phase ratio (0.2 to 1.8), pH (3-7), and temperature (20-60 degrees C). The optimized extraction conditions are achieved as 0.04 kmol & centerdot;m-3 GA, 1:1.4 phase ratio, pH -4, and 30 degrees C temperature with extraction efficiency of 95.5% (experimental) close to 94.7% (predicted). The Mechanistic analysis based on the law of mass action and differential evolution indicated formation of a 1:1 TOPO:GA complex via hydrogen bonding with equilibrium constant (KE = 9.1 and m = 0.80), further confirmed by FTIR analysis. Thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy (Delta H = -11 382 J mol-1), entropy (Delta S = -19.04 J mol-1 K-1), and negative Gibbs free energy (-5822 to -5263 J mol-1) confirmed spontaneous and exothermic nature of extraction process.CONCLUSION The synthesized hydrophobic DES demonstrates efficient, optimized, and thermodynamically favorable recovery of Gallic acid, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional organic extractants.
