Contamination of water by heavy metal ions is a significant negative factor for domestic and industrial water usage. Besides, the harm provided for ecosystems is crucial and should be handled by technologies of separation and water purification. Adsorption, as one of them, is a method which developed in the last decades through the practical application of novel materials with developed physical and chemical structure. In this work, a novel method of hierarchical carbon-based sorbent was introduced by the nanomodification of rice husk-derived biochar. Treated by urea and potassium phosphate through the solvothermal method, the surface of the biochar was modified by carbon dots nanoparticles. Obtained ARH-13 biochar sorbent exhibits a profound synergy stemming from the integration of nanoparticles onto the porous carrier; while the nanoparticles introduce essential functional groups for chemical binding, the biochar framework provides the high surface area and structural morphology necessary for efficient mass transfer. As a result, the material had shown high adsorption ability to Ni2+ (237.4 f 12.1 mg/g), Cu2+ (61.4 f 2.8 mg/g), Pb2+ (125.2 f 1.1 mg/g) and Zn2+ (70.2 f 2.7 mg/g) ions (pH = 5, 20 degrees C), stability at a wide pH (2-7) and temperature (10-60 & ocy;& Scy;) range and proper recyclability up to 5 cycles. The mechanisms of adsorption on the surface of the obtained hybrid material include coprecipitation, ion exchange, complex formation and electrostatic attraction.

Rationally modulating the hierarchical structure of biomass-derived carbon while ensuring developed pore structure and effective doping is imperative for its high-value utilization, but remains challenging. Herein, a three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical flower-like carbon with high surface area and N-doping was synthesized through a directed assembly and carbonization strategy, where biomass serves as a template and support during zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) precursors self-assembly. Benefiting from the regularity and abundant porosity of flower-like structure, and unique electronic properties by nitrogen-doping, the flower-like carbon possesses more exposed and heteroatom homogeneously distributed active surface, thus exhibiting oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity comparable to that of commercial Pt/C catalysts. Theoretical calculation results reveal that this ordered N-doped carbon lowers the reaction free energy and improves its ORR activity. In addition to being directly used for ORR, the flower-like carbon is also suitable as a substrate for dispersed Ni-doping in CO2 electroreduction. The prepared Ni-doped flower-like carbon exhibits superior CO Faraday efficiency (91%) and long-term stability (48 h) compared to other Ni-doped carbons. This work may provide insights into constructing biomass-derived carbon with tailored hierarchical structures for diverse energy-related applications.

Magnetic fields have recently gained attention as effective tools for enhancing electrocatalytic hydrogen production, primarily through spin polarization (SP) and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects. However, the individual contributions of these mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study provides the first quantitative assessment of SP and MHD effects on the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) using FexCo1-x (x = 0.8, 0.6, 0.4) nanoparticles. Under a magnetic field (MF), the catalysts demonstrated exceptional performance, achieving a 6fold increase in current density and a 109 mV reduction in overpotential (current density of 20 mA & sdot;cm- 2) compared to Ni foam. SP was identified as the dominant factor, contributing up to 53 % to current density, while MHD effects accounted for only 12 %. Additionally, the scalability of this approach was evaluated in a customdesigned electrolyzer, where the integration of MF and catalysts reduced power consumption from 57.3 to 48.8 kWh/kg. These results highlight the potential of magnetic field-enhanced hydrogen production and emphasize the need for further research to optimize scalability.

Counterfeiting has serious economic and social consequences, prompting researchers worldwide to develop innovative and highly secure anti-counterfeiting methods, including the use of various polymer printing techniques and the integration of functional materials to create patterns with customized designs that are easy to detect and cannot be falsified. Composite inks made of silk fibroin microfibers and polyvinyl alcohol or polyethylene glycol were developed to produce patterns with the microstructures aligned in the direction of extrusion during the 3D printing process. Fibroin microfibers were obtained via high temperature treatment and used as a precursor for carbon dot synthesis. This approach allowed the microfiber structure to be maintained and be amenable to the synthesis of carbon dots doped with N-heteroatom on its surface, resulting in a material that fluoresces bright blue when irradiated at 365 nm but remains invisible in normal lighting conditions.

Hydrogen, globally recognized as the most efficient and clean energy carrier, holds the potential to transform future energy systems through its use as a fuel and chemical resource. Although progress has been made in reversible hydrogen adsorption and release, challenges in storage continue to impede widespread adoption. This review explores recent advancements in hydrogen storage materials and synthesis methods, emphasizing the role of nanotechnology and innovative synthesis techniques in enhancing storage performance and addressing these challenges to drive progress in the field. The review provides a comprehensive overview of various material classes, including metal hydrides, complex hydrides, carbon materials, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and porous materials. Over 60 % of reviewed studies focused on metal hydrides and alloys for hydrogen storage. Additionally, the impact of nanotechnology on storage performance and the importance of optimizing synthesis parameters to tailor material properties for specific applications are summarized. Various synthesis methods are evaluated, with a special emphasis on the role of nanotechnology in improving storage performance. Mechanical milling emerges as a commonly used and cost-effective method for fabricating intermetallic hydrides capable of adjusting hydrogen storage properties. The review also explores hydrogen storage tank embrittlement mechanisms, particularly subcritical crack growth, and examines the advantages and limitations of different materials for various applications, supported by case studies showcasing real-world implementations. The challenges underscore current limitations in hydrogen storage materials, highlighting the need for improved storage capacity and kinetics. The review also explores prospects for developing materials with enhanced performance and safety, providing a roadmap for ongoing advancements in the field. Key findings and directions for future research in hydrogen storage materials emphasize their critical role in shaping future energy systems.

Catalysis stands as a cornerstone in chemical synthesis, pivotal in advancing sustainable manufacturing pathways. The evolution from energy-intensive to sustainable catalytic processes has marked a transformative shift, notably exemplified by low-energy catalytic methods. These processes, operating under milder conditions and emphasizing selectivity and recyclability, represent the forefront of sustainable chemistry. This review navigates through an array of low-energy chemical reactions, highlighting their diverse applications and culminating in exploration of recent strides within low-energy catalytic processes. For example, the review explores the uses of low-energy catalytic processes in applications such as enzyme mimicking, biodiesel production, carbon dioxide capture, and organic synthesis. Additionally, it covers enzymatic catalysis and photocatalysis for carbon dioxide transformations, energy applications, and water treatment. Notably, the review emphasizes the low-energy catalytic capabilities of single-atom catalysis (SAC) and diatomic catalysts (DACs), recognizing their exceptional performance in catalyzing reactions at minimal activation energies while maintaining high efficiency and selectivity under mild conditions. By elucidating the modulation of electronic structure and offering a microelectronic perspective, the review aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the catalytic activity of SAC and DACs. Emphasizing the interplay between coordination chemistry principles and catalytic efficacy, the review elucidates the indispensable role of coordination complexes in fortifying the sustainability of these processes. By spotlighting the fusion of coordination chemistry with catalysis, this review aims to underscore their collective influence in shaping the landscape of sustainable chemical production.

The rising CO2 levels stress the shift to sustainable sources, with electrolysis as a key technology for CO2 removal and clean fuel. AI and ML advancements optimize electrocatalysts, enhancing water splitting and CO2 reduction efficiency.

Reservoir simulation uses numerical models to study how reservoir properties impact oil recovery. However, numerical modelling is insufficient and is often paired with physical simulation, where physical models are used to verify and improve simulation results. Historically, physical simulation was conducted using difficult-to-extract reservoir rock samples; however, microfluidic devices (MFDs) have emerged as viable substitutes. Unfortunately, conventional approaches to MFD fabrication leads to devices with physical and chemical properties dissimilar to that of reservoir rock – which can decrease simulation accuracy. Thanks to significant advancements in three-dimensional printing, it can be used to fabricate MFDs with properties and dimensions close to those of reservoir rocks thanks to high resolution, good dimensional accuracy, and a wide range of printable substrates, resulting in more accurate simulation aimed at maximising oil recovery.

Biodiesel is a petroleum diesel substitute made by reacting oils and fats obtained from plants and animals with short-chain alcohols. The most common approach to biodiesel synthesis is transesterification, which, although a spontaneous reaction, is often catalysed by both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. Homogeneous catalysts, typically very strong acids and bases, have the disadvantages of requiring special equipment and being very difficult to separate from the end product; therefore, heterogeneous catalysts, primarily metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, are preferred. However, conventional heterogeneous catalysts have several limitations, including poor industrial applicability. Recently, carbon-based nanoparticles, including carbon dots (C-dots), have been proposed as potential catalysts. A fledgling innovation, C-dots are a promising heterogeneous catalyst due to their easy, cost-effective synthesis; modifiability; high specific surface area; high specificity; and high conversion efficiency. Furthermore, unlike other catalysts, C-dots do not have to be removed after biodiesel production and can be included as an additive that improves fuel and engine performance and reduces greenhouse gas emission. This mini review aims to highlight the emerging role of C-dots in biodiesel synthesis via transesterification.

Reducing the size of a material with a first-order magnetic phase transition to the nanoscale results in a significant change in its physical properties. An example of this behaviour is the FeRh alloy. According to magnetometry results, the nanoparticles of this alloy do not show a transition from the antiferromagnetic to the ferromagnetic state near room temperature. In this work we have measured the magnetic properties and the Mo center dot ssbauer effect for FeRh@FeO composite nanoparticles at different temperatures. An analysis of the results allows us to conclude that superparamagnetic relaxations dominate the formation of the magnetic structure of the nanoparticles. For particle sizes near 10 nm, the antiferromagnetic state is possible near helium temperatures. Further heating contributes to the formation of superparamagnetic behaviour.

Due to their widespread application in water purification, there is a significant interest in synthesising nanoscale photocatalysts. Nanophotocatalysts are primarily manufactured through chemical methods, which can lead to side effects like pollution, high-energy usage, and even health issues. To address these issues, "green synthesis" was developed, which involves using plant extracts as reductants or capping agents rather than industrial chemical agents. Green fabrication has the benefits of costs less, pollution reduction, environmental protection and human health safety, compared to the traditional methods. This article summarises recent advances in the environmentally friendly synthesis of various nanophotocatalysts employed in the degradation of azo dyes. This study compiles critical findings on natural and artificial methods to achieve the goal. Green synthesis is constrained by the time and place of production and issues with low purity and poor yield, reflecting the complexity of plants' geographical and seasonal distributions and their compositions. However, green photocatalyst synthesis provides additional growth opportunities and potential uses.

Various implantable optical sensors are an emerging tool in animal physiology and medicine that may provide real-time information about body fluids without tissue extraction. Such sensors are often fluorescence-based and require strong visible external illumination during signal acquisition, which causes anxiety or even stress for small animals and thus may influence the physiological parameters being measured. In order to overcome this obstacle, here, we combined a fluorescent molecular pH probe with upconverting particles within a hydrogel fiber suitable for injection into small crustaceans. The green luminescence of the particles under non-visible infrared illumination excited fluorescence of the molecular probe and allowed for pH measurements after correction of the probe readout for luminescence intensity. The developed optical setup based on a common microscope ensured effective visualization of the sensor and spectral pH measurements through the translucent exoskeleton of the amphipod (Amphipoda, Crustacea) Eulimnogammarus verrucosus, endemic to ancient Lake Baikal. Testing the sensors in these cold-loving crustaceans under environmentally relevant temperature increases showed alkalization of amphipod internal media by 0.2 soon after the start of the experiment, while further increases led to acidification by 0.5. The applied approach for simple sensor preparation can be useful in building other implantable optical sensors for light-sensitive organisms.

Current intrinsic deficiencies in biomedicine promote the rapid development of alternative multitasking approaches. Recently, monometallic and alloy nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely studied for their potential biomedical applications. However, the research mainly focuses on monometallic compounds and metal oxide NPs that have already been studied. In this review, we investigate promising modified mono- and bimetallic NPs for improving the current state of materials science in medicine. It was contended that effective general biomedical applications can be enhanced by intelligent NP design. Particularly, we discuss transition and platinum metal compositions, iron-based and non-iron compounds, along with liquid alloys. Subsequently, we explore the capabilities provided by modifications such as inorganic and organic coatings, polymers, and biomolecules that can invent new NP designs for precise applications, ultimately resulting in an improved patient outcome. We provide a comprehensive assessment of the advantages and limitations of monometallic and alloy nanomaterials and possible solutions to problems that delay their development.

In this work, a novel magnetic adsorbent obtained via the conjugation of montmorillonite clay and kappa-carrageenan was fabricated. The successful synthesis of adsorbent was confirmed by various analytical techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, zeta potential measurements, scanning electron microscopy, and N-2-adsorption/desorption isotherms. The synthesized material was used as a high-performance sorbent in the removal of tetracycline from aqueous media, and the influential parameters of the process were investigated. It showed high adsorption performance in a wide pH range of 4-11. A maximum adsorption capacity of 80.28 mg g(-1) was obtained at 45 degrees C. Furthermore, the best-fitted kinetic model was found to be the pseudo-second-order model. Regarding two-parameter nonlinear isotherms, best fitting followed the order: Freundlich approximate to Redlich-Peterson > Temkin > Langmuir, which was not the same that was obtained using linear isotherm model regression (Langmuir approximate to Redlich-Peterson > Temkin > Freundlich). Among the different isotherm models, the isotherm data was best fitted to the nonlinear Sips isotherm model. Thermodynamic studies showed the endothermic and spontaneous nature of the adsorption process, as well as its random motion. A plausible mechanism includes hydrogen bonds as well as electrostatic and anion-pi interactions as adsorption interactions between tetracycline and the functional groups (O-SO3- and OH-) on the surface of magnetic clay/biopolymer adsorbent.

Over the last decade, the removal of pharmaceuticals from aquatic bodies has garnered substantial attention from the scientific community. Ibuprofen (IBP), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is released into the environment in pharmaceutical waste as well as medical, hospital, and household effluents. Adsorption technology is a highly efficient approach to reduce the IBP in the aquatic environment, particularly at low IBP concentrations. Due to the exceptional surface properties of carbonaceous materials, they are considered ideal adsorbents for the IBP removal of, with high binding capacity. Given the importance of the topic, the adsorptive removal of IBP from effluent using various carbonaceous adsorbents, including activated carbon, biochar, graphene-based materials, and carbon nanostructures, has been compiled and critically reviewed. Furthermore, the adsorption behavior, binding mechanisms, the most effective parameters, thermodynamics, and regeneration methods as well as the cost analysis were comprehensively reviewed for modified and unmodified carbonaceous adsorbents. The compiled studies on the IBP adsorption shows that the IBP uptake of some carbon-based adsorbents is significantly than that of commercial activated carbons. In the future, much attention is needed for practical utilization and upscaling of the research findings to aid the management and sustainability of water resource.

Insufficient water stability is an important problem restricting the practical application of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in the field of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) adsorption. In this work, a copper(II) benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate MOF (Cu-BTC)/biochar composite with improved water stability was obtained by a facile one-pot method for toluene adsorption applications. Different from the traditional regular octahedral configuration, Cu-BTC was scattered on biochar in the form of broccoli-shaped microspheres. The influence of humid air aging on the physiochemical and toluene adsorption properties of Cu-BTC and Cu-BTC/biochar composites under different periods were explored. The results show that the inner structure of Cu-BTC degrades with the micropores transformed into meso-macropores under the humid air aging. Moreover, the BET surface area was reduced by 63.2 % and 94.7 % after 3-month and 6-month aging, respectively, which could eventually lead to a serious decline (76.3 % and 96.5 %) in the adsorption capacities of toluene. It can also be found that compared to traditional octahedral Cu-BTC, the degradation process of broccoli-shaped Cu-BTC/ biochar is effectively slowed down, which shows better moisture stability. The retention rates of toluene adsorption capacities for broccoli-shaped Cu-BTC/biochar were 57.7 % and 17.1 % after 3-month and 6-month aging, respectively. This study is helpful for better improving the water stability of MOFs materials used for VOCs adsorption.

Cancer monitoring plays a critical role in improving patient outcomes by providing early detection, personalized treatment options, and treatment response tracking. Carbon-based electrochemical biosensors have emerged in recent years as a revolutionary technology with the potential to revolutionize cancer monitoring. These sensors are useful for clinical applications because of their high sensitivity, selectivity, rapid response, and compatibility with miniaturized equipment. This review paper gives an in-depth look at the latest developments and the possibilities of carbon-based electrochemical sensors in cancer surveillance. The essential principles of carbon-based electrochemical sensors are discussed, including their structure, operating mechanisms, and critical qualities that make them suited for cancer surveillance. Furthermore, we investigate their applicability in detecting specific cancer biomarkers, evaluating therapy responses, and detecting cancer recurrence early. Additionally, a comparison of carbon-based electrochemical sensor performance measures, including sensitivity, selectivity, accuracy, and limit of detection, is presented in contrast to existing monitoring methods and upcoming technologies. Finally, we discuss prospective tactics, future initiatives, and commercialization opportunities for improving the capabilities of these sensors and integrating them into normal clinical practice. The review highlights the potential impact of carbon-based electrochemical sensors on cancer diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes, as well as the importance of ongoing research, collaboration, and validation studies to fully realize their potential in revolutionizing cancer monitoring.

To improve the pore structure of biochar, the H2 yield of gas, and the quality of bio-oil in biomass pyrolysis, a new pyrolysis strategy of co-pyrolyzing bamboo and Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks (ZIF-8) at different tem-peratures and mixing ratios was proposed. Results showed that ZIF-8 blending improved the quality of pyrolytic products. For biochar, the specific surface area was increased tenfold from 49.63 m2/g for raw bamboo to 557.37 m2/g with a 4:1 mass ratio of bamboo to ZIF-8 at 900 degrees C. And hierarchical porous biochars were formed. For gas, the H2 yield was increased significantly from 4.35 mmol/g (32.84 vol%) for raw bamboo to 7.87 mmol/g (43.73 vol%) with a 4:1 mass ratio of bamboo to ZIF-8 at 900 degrees C. For bio-oil, ZIF-8 blending promoted the conversion of bamboo to acetic acids, furans, and cyclopentanones, while inhibiting the formation of polyaromatic compounds, showing that ZIF-8 could enhance the secondary cracking of volatiles and promote the branch chain fracture, dehydrogenation, ring-opening and decarbonylation of bamboo. These results indicated that ZIF-8 had excellent effects on bamboo pyrolysis to produce high-value products, and it was enlightening for biomass thermal con-version utilization.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and starch are common adulterants in milk. H2O2 is a powerful antimicrobial agent and starch is used to increase the viscosity and nutritional value of diluted milk. Adulterating milk with H2O2 and starch can cause serious health problems; therefore, it is important to detect them, even at very low concen-trations. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a promising indicator and can be used to create sensors that can quantita-tively identify these impurities. The principle of the sensor is based on the colour reaction between H2O2 and TiO2 nanoparticles to form peroxotitanic acid. Nanosized TiO2 was synthesized and investigated by various physicochemical methods, such as DLS, XRD, HRTEM, and N2 sorption analysis. The TiO2-based sensors pre-sented in this work are easily scalable and can detect trace amounts of H2O2 (from 50 ppm) and starch (from 250 ppm) in milk. In addition, the selectivity to other common adulterants and reproducibility of the sensors (RSD = 5-7 %) were evaluated. The proposed sensor includes the development of an electronic device based on the Arduino hardware platform to take accurate automatic measurements.