Two-dimensional materials (2DMs) have attracted substantial attention due to their exceptional thermal, tensile, chemical, and mechanical properties, making them promising candidates for designing next-generation polymeric membranes. Incorporating 2DMs with polymers not only improved selectivity and permeability but also considerably enhanced mechanical robustness, thereby improving long-term stability and durability, which are among the greatest challenges today. This review article provides new insights into advancements in 2DMs and 2DMs-based polymeric membranes, with particular emphasis on mechanical strength and their roles in environmental remediation. We also discussed how different 2DMs interact with polymers to address issues such as anti-fouling, stability, and durability in polymeric membranes. Additionally, we explore the challenges associated with polymeric membranes and how we can overcome them by using different 2DMs to develop a multifunctional 2DMs-polymer hybrid membrane that bridges mechanics with environmental remediation applications.

ABSTRACT The unrelenting existence of organic contaminants (OC) in water systems poses a severe threat to the environment and human health. Therefore, there is a need to develop sustainable and efficient water treatment technologies. In this aspect, semiconductor (SC)‐based photocatalyst (PC) has emerged as a next‐generation material for the photo‐degradation of OC. However, its practical application is often limited by low quantum efficiency, rapid recombination rate, and lower visible‐light utilization. In this context, creating heterojunctions has gained significant attention from researchers to enhance photocatalytic performance by improving charge separation and the adsorption of photons. This article summarizes the recent advances in numerous heterojunction systems such as type‐I, type‐II, Z‐scheme, S‐scheme, Schottky, and p‐n junctions, with a focus on their design, structural‐activity, and interfacial charge transfer mechanisms. With emphasis on the role of band alignment and surface reactive species that boost the photo‐oxidation of OC. Additionally, the design of heterojunctions, photocatalytic reaction pathways, and factors influencing degradation efficiency are discussed. Finally, the current challenges and future perspectives for the rational design of next‐generation heterojunction PC for the photo‐degradation of OC are highlighted. Therefore, this article offers newer insights for the development of highly efficient and scalable heterojunction‐based photocatalytic systems for OC.

Tetracycline (TC) antibiotics are partially metabolized in humans and animals, which leads to environmental toxicity. At the same time, waste materials (WMs) significantly increase the burden of environmental remediation, especially laboratory waste materials (LWMs), ranging from chemicals to clinical waste. Therefore, there is a requirement to degrade TC antibiotics from wastewater by using LWMs. In this aspect, this study focuses on the synthesis of laboratory waste-derived (LWD) CuI and immobilized onto the surface of cellulose filter (CF). Initially, LWMs were collected and carbonized to produce LWD-CI and then immobilized onto the surface of CF to produce LWD-CICF-based photoresponsive filter. The band gap values of LWD-CI, CF, and LWD-CICF-based photoresponsive filters were observed to be similar to 2.97 eV, similar to 4.74 eV, and similar to 1.67 eV, respectively. Interestingly, upon immobilization of LWD-CI onto the surface of the CF, the band gap value of LWD-CI and CF significantly decreases, which might enhance the photoresponsive efficiency against antibiotics. The as-prepared LWD-CICF-based photoresponsive filter efficiently degraded TC antibiotics. The maximum photoresponsive degradation of TC antibiotics similar to 95.8%, similar to 77%, and similar to 63% was observed in 10 mg/L, 5 mg/L, and 1 mg/L of TC antibiotics, respectively, using 60 min of solar irradiation. Moreover, similar to 100% photoresponsive degradation of TC antibiotics was observed at pH 10. The data suggested that the as-prepared LWD-CICF-based photoresponsive filter might be effective for photoresponsive degradation of TC antibiotics. Therefore, the synthesis of as-prepared LWD-CICF-based photoresponsive filter is facile, cost-effective, sustainable, and a next-generation solution for the removal of environmental pollutants.

Technological advancement in the healthcare sector, especially the discovery of medicines, has positive impacts on human health and the environment. The inappropriate use of medicine causes severe human health issues, mainly the development of antibiotic resistance, thereby necessitating the development of sustainable photoresponsive biocidal agents. The present study describes the synthesis of bimetallic (Zn/Bi)-oxy-chloride-based nanosheets enmeshed rods nanocomposite by using bee pollen (ZBCBR) for photo-responsive biocidal agents. The data suggested that the band gap value of the prepared ZBCBR-based photo-responsive biocidal agents initially increased from similar to 2.65 eV to similar to 2.95 eV after incorporation of Zn-metals (0.5 g), whereas further increments of the Zn-metals (0.5-2 g) narrowed the band gap value from similar to 2.58 eV to similar to 2.42 eV. Interestingly, upon increasing the Zn-metals, surface charges become positive, which might be beneficial for the interaction with bacterial strains. The synthesized ZBCBR-based photo-responsive biocidal agents were tested against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacterial strains under both dark and solar light irradiation conditions. The ZBCBR-based photo-responsive biocidal agent inhibited/killed both bacterial strains within 24 h. In contrast, ZBCBR-2-based photo-responsive biocidal agent inhibited similar to 99.99% of bacterial strains within 5 min of solar irradiation at a 2 mg/mL dose. Therefore, the synthesized ZBCBR-based photo-responsive biocidal agent is a simple, sustainable, and efficient antibiotic material.

Bacterial infectious diseases are a global health concern nowadays. Even though several antibiotics have been developed and effectively treat various microorganisms. Moreover, the emergence of bacterial resistance to antibiotics due to excessive use poses a major threat to human health, thereby necessitating the development of next-generation antibiotic materials. In this aspect, the present study focuses on the synthesis of bioresource-derived resin-wrapped bimetallic (ZnO/TiO2)-based nanocomposite by using bee propolis (BP) (ZBPT)-based photo-antibiotic materials. The particle size of the ZBPT-based photo-antibiotic materials significantly decreases with increasing Zn-metals within ZBPT. Interestingly, upon incorporation of Zn-metals, the band gap narrowed (from similar to 3.40 eV to 2.52 eV), thereby achieving high photo-antibacterial efficiency. The synthesised ZBPT-based photo-antibiotic materials were tested against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) under both dark and light irradiation conditions. The ZBPT-based photo-antibiotic materials inhibited or killed similar to 85% of bacterial strains within 24 h. In contrast, ZBPT-based photo-antibiotic materials inhibited similar to 99.99% of bacteria within 5 min of solar irradiation by using ZBPT-3:1. Therefore, the synthesised ZBPT-based photo-antibiotic materials are facile, cost-effective and sustainable, with the potential to quickly remove or kill bacteria at the site of infection.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a bone cancer that is distinguished by osteoid and immature bone formation, having a high incidence rate in adolescents and children. OS is resistant to chemotherapy and less sensitive to radiotherapy, thereby making it challenging to treat OS. In this context, this study aims to produce Fe metals incorporated Bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl)-based nanosheets assembled rods (FBOCNR)-based nanomedicine for treating OS cells. The synthesized FBOCNR-based nanomedicine effectively destroys/kills OS cells, confirmed by MTT assay, structural analysis, fluorescence microscopy (acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EtBr)), and expression of apoptotic genes. The MTT assay showed a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect of FBOCNR nanomedicine, with an IC50 of FBOCNR-0 (234.12 mu g/mL), FBOCNR-0.5 (160.73 mu g/mL), and FBOCNR-1 (185.15 mu g/mL). Morphological analysis revealed apoptotic changes, including cell shrinkage, membrane blebbing, and reduced cell density. AO/EtBr staining confirmed increased apoptotic cell death in treated OS cells. Bright orange/red fluorescence indicated a greater fraction of apoptotic cells compared with that of controls. The FBOCNR-based nanomedicine downregulates Bcl2 and upregulates pro-apoptotic markers Bad, Bax, and caspase-3, enhancing programmed cell death. Therefore, the prepared FBOCNR-based nanomedicine provides newer possibilities for treating OS cells.

Controlling loss of blood during militant war, traumatic injury, and surgical procedures is the greatest challenge nowadays, which leads to death, thereby the necessity of hemostatic bandages. The present work focuses on the synthesis of waste-derived (WD)-Ca incorporated Zn nanorods encapsulated with chitosan polymers (CZC) to control the loss of blood as well as bacterial infection. The as-prepared CZC bandage was tested against various biochemical tests such as PBS absorption, hemolysis, adsorption of protein, platelets aggregation/adhesion, blood clotting ability, and antibacterial test assay. The data suggested that the CZC bandage has high biocompatibility, exceptional PBS absorption ability (similar to 1402%), platelets aggregation (similar to 65%) within 10 min of exposure, protein a loading ability (similar to 37 mg/cm(2)), and similar to 84% blood clotting within a 1 min of exposure. Moreover, the CZC bandage effectively kills/inhibits both E. Coli and S. aureus bacteria. Therefore, the prepared CZC bandage in this study is simple, economically viable, and sustainable development.

Fluoride (F−) ions contamination has significantly increased globally in environments that affect human health. Excessive exposure to the F− ions in the environmental bodies might cause various diseases, including thyroid inflammation, kidney disorder, and dental and skeleton fluorosis. Therefore, the detection of F- ions is of utmost importance in managing their adverse effects. Early detection of F− ions is essential to mitigate its adverse effects. Researchers have made significant efforts to develop newer materials that have high selectivity and sensitivity towards F− ions. Two-dimensional materials (2DMs), especially carbon based-2DMs (CB-2DMs) like graphene, graphene oxide (GO), graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), and MXene, have unique characteristics such as high surface area, high electron mobilities, exceptional catalytic activity, high mechanical, electrical, and thermal stability, which makes them highly sensitive sensor, thereby easily detect F− ions from environments by the colorimetric, fluorescent, and electrochemical-based sensor. In this mini-review, we focused on the CB-2DMs-based sensing technologies for detecting F− ions. Moreover, we discussed how incorporating metals/polymers/surface functional groups will improve the sensing ability. We also discussed the sensing mechanisms of the F− ions using CB-2DMs. Lastly, we discussed the challenges and future possibilities towards the development of the F− ions sensor.

Fluoride (F-) ions contamination significantly increased with increasing industrialization, a significant public health problem nowadays. At the same time, waste materials (WMs), such as agricultural waste, food waste, plastic waste, etc., have considerably increased with the increase in population. Therefore, there is an immediate requirement to manage the burden of WMs and remove F- ions from water. The present study focuses on developing waste-derived cellulose encapsulated bimetallic (Fe/Al) (WD-CBMC)-based composite to remove F- ions. Interestingly, banana peel (BP) is used as a reducing and encapsulating agent for the synthesis of WD-CBMC-based composite. Additionally, BP contains polyphenols that offer various active sites to enhance the removal efficiency of F- ions. The prepared WD-CBMC composite efficiently removes F- ions from the water under batch conditions. The results revealed that the prepared WD-CBMC composite had significant sorption ability (∼120 mg/g), which was higher or comparable to that of existing materials. The high removal efficiency is mainly due to both metal complexation and electrostatic interaction, as confirmed from the thermodynamic parameters (ΔG = -2.72 to -1.35 kJ/mol; ΔH = -16.53 kJ/mol), which demonstrated a spontaneous and exothermic process of adsorption. Moreover, F- ions are efficiently removed by surface hydroxyl groups and ligand exchange of WD-CBMC-based composite, which makes it easier for F- ions to interact with active sites. Therefore, the prepared WD-CBMC composite is low-cost, environmentally friendly, and can be used to remove F- ions simultaneously while managing the burden of WMs.

Fe-incorporated BiOCl-nanosheet assembled rods (FBC-NSR) based photoactive materials were synthesized using a simple sol–gel process to degrade tetracycline (TC) pharmaceuticals compound (PCs) under solar irradiation. The as-prepared FBC-NSR-based photoactive materials were characterized using various characterization techniques including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), photoluminescent (PL) spectroscopic analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The structural changes were observed upon doping of Fe metals within the FBC-NSR-based photoactive materials. Intriguingly, the band gap value decreased from 1.81 eV to 1.29 eV with increasing the amount of Fe metals (0.5 g, and 1.0 g) within the FBC-NSR named as FBC-NSR-2 and FBC-NSR-3-based photoactive materials, respectively. The lower band gap value favors the photodegradation of environmental pollution. The synthesized FBC-NSR-3 shows the highest degradation 97

Correction for 'Carbon-based two-dimensional (2D) materials: a next generation biocidal agent' by Neetu Talreja et al., Mater. Adv., 2024, 5, 1454-1461, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3MA00952A.

Fungal pathogens may cause severe diseases within crops, thereby significantly decreasing crop yield. Numerous treatments, including phytohormones, are used to improve crop yield. However, infection control remains a concern. The utilization of nanomaterials/nanofungicides in agriculture mainly focuses on the delivery of agrochemicals/nanofertilizers to improve water uptake and seed germination as well as control the release of agrochemicals/nanofertilizers/micronutrients. They are also used for nanosensors, gene transfer, and controlling pathogen infections. Significant efforts have been made to develop and design nanomaterials/nanofungicides with different qualities such as surface properties, shape, and size, which might be advantageous to specific delivery or adsorption. This chapter focuses on nanofungicides and their effects on crop protection. We also discuss the mode of action and toxicity of nanofungicides.