Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly recognized as widespread contaminants in aquatic environments, including remote freshwater systems, where their presence is linked to waste generation and transport pathways. This study examined the occurrence, spatial-temporal distribution, polymer composition, and ecological risks of MPs in surface sediments from Black Lake and Devil Lake, two high-altitude glacial lakes in Durmitor National Park, Montenegro. Sediment samples were collected across three seasons and analyzed using standardized methods, including density separation, visual identification, and polymer characterization. MPs abundance averaged 5.1 ± 1.4 items per 100 g of dry sediment in Black Lake and 3.8 ± 0.5 items per 100 g in Devil Lake. Fibers and fragments were dominant morphotypes, with particles sized 1-3 mm prevailing. Blue particles were most frequent. Five polymer types were identified, with polyethylene as the dominant polymer. Pollution load index values indicated moderate contamination, while polymer hazard and ecological risk indices suggested high to very high environmental risk. The presence of MPs in protected, high-altitude glacial lakes highlights their vulnerability to diffuse pollution sources, including tourism and long-range transport. The findings provide baseline data for alpine freshwater environments and underline the importance of integrating MPs pollution into waste management and environmental protection strategies.

The rational use of carbohydrate polymers as functional matrices for integrating inorganic and organic components remains a key challenge in developing sustainable multifunctional materials. Here, a process-oriented, bio-inspired strategy for fabricating a chitosan-centred multifunctional composite coating is presented. This approach uniquely combines plasma-assisted activation of the silk surface, chitosan immobilisation, and subsequent controlled in situ generation of TiO2 nanoparticles in the presence of curcumin, a naturally derived polyphenolic compound. The resulting chitosan/TiO2/curcumin composite system simultaneously imparts antibacterial, UV-shielding, and photocatalytic self-cleaning functions to the silk. Chitosan provides strong antimicrobial activity, maintaining robust bio-barrier antibacterial protection in the composite system and achieving over 99.5% inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli growth. Curcumin acts as a TiO2 photosensitiser and charge-transfer mediator, suppressing electron-hole recombination and enabling efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity, as confirmed by accelerated Rhodamine B dye degradation and effective coffee stain removal. Complementary UV absorption by TiO2 (UV-B) and curcumin (UV-A) delivers broad-spectrum UV protection with a UV protection factor of 32.1. Overall, this work demonstrates a distinct carbohydrate polymer-driven fabrication paradigm for engineering high-performance textiles with integrated multifunctional protective properties.

Ternary noble metal/semiconductor heterostructures are emerging as versatile platforms for multifunctional materials, but their integration into textiles remains limited. In this study, ultrasound-assisted sol-gel synthesis of Ag/TiO2/graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) nanocomposites directly on cotton fabric was developed. Two synthesis routes, i.e. in situ and ex situ were carried out at 20 degrees C and 70 degrees C to simultaneously achieve photocatalytic, UV protection, and antimicrobial properties. In situ synthesis at 70 degrees C resulted in the highest loading of TiO2 and Ag nanoparticles (NPs), leading to superior multifunctional performance. The enhanced photocatalytic activity and photostability of the nanocomposite under solar light irradiation were attributed to a Type-II heterojunction between TiO2 and gCN, the Schottky barrier formation at the Ag/TiO2 interface, and the localised surface plasmon resonance of the Ag NPs. The synergistic effect of gCN and Ag NPs on UV-A absorption combined with TiO2-mediated UV-B shielding resulted in a UV protection factor of 90. The dual effect of Ag+ and Ag0 species provided complete bacterial inactivation of S. aureus and E. coli. The level of Ag NPs remained below the cytotoxic threshold, ensuring excellent cytocompatibility. These results establish Ag/TiO2/gCN nanocompositefunctionalised cotton as a promising candidate for advanced biomedical and technical textile applications.

Mercury (Hg) is a highly toxic and persistent environmental pollutant whose accurate monitoring remains challenging due to limitations in existing diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) binding materials, including insufficient selectivity, complex synthesis, and sustainability concerns. In this study, we report the first application of graphitic carbon nitride (GCN) nanosheets as a metal-free and sustainable binding material for Hg & sup2;(+) monitoring in DGT systems, addressing key limitations of current approaches. Few-layer GCN nanosheets were synthesized via thermal polymerization followed by protonation-assisted exfoliation and comprehensively characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These analyses confirmed the formation of a structurally stable, nitrogen-rich framework with abundant coordination sites. The GCN-agarose (AG-GCN) composite binding layer demonstrated high mercury binding efficiency (>90%) at environmentally relevant concentrations (2.5-10 ng/mL) and near-neutral pH, attributed to strong coordination between Hg & sup2;(+) ions and electron-donating nitrogen sites within the heptazine structure. Compared to conventional DGT binding phases, the proposed system offers enhanced sustainability, metal-free composition, and strong affinity toward mercury, highlighting its potential for next-generation passive environmental monitoring and advanced nanomaterial-based sensing platforms.

Abstract Electrochemical devices operating under nonaqueous conditions are often limited by electrolyte decomposition and electrode poisoning during the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR). Here, polycrystalline platinum (Ptpoly) was electrochemically modified with the ionic liquid 1-methyl-3-propylimidazolium dicyanamide (MPIDCA) to create a selective interfacial layer that suppresses detrimental adsorption processes while retaining HOR activity. Physicochemical characterization and electrochemical analysis show that MPIDCA modification proceeds through the irreversible oxidation of dicyanamide species, producing a chemically heterogeneous surface containing MPI-, DCA-, and Pt–N-related species. Probe reactions reveal that the modified interface strongly suppresses surface-sensitive inner-sphere processes, including Pt oxide formation and the oxidation of ethanol and diglyme, indicating reduced accessibility of Pt sites to water, oxygenated adsorbates, anions, proton-carrier molecules, solvent molecules, and organic poisoning species. In contrast, ferrocene redox chemistry remains reversible and HOR proceeds on PtMPIDCA, demonstrating that the modified layer acts as a selective interfacial shield rather than a passivating film. In 0.5 M LiTFSI/Diglyme, PtMPIDCA requires lower potentials to reach the same HOR current densities and exhibits reduced hysteresis compared with unmodified Ptpoly. These improvements are consistent with a less poisoned Pt/electrolyte interface and increased tolerance toward trace-water-, anion-, solvent-, and impurity-related surface blocking. Overall, MPIDCA modification provides a molecular strategy for improving the poisoning tolerance of Pt during nonaqueous HOR, which is particularly relevant to lithium-mediated nitrogen reduction, where HOR can serve as a proton-regenerating anodic counter reaction.

Microplastic (MP) pollution in aquatic ecosystems has become a significant environmental concern worldwide. This study investigates the presence of MP in the main tributaries of the Morača river (Sitnica, Ribnica and Cijevna), the largest river flowing through the capital of Montenegro, aiming to enhance understanding of the presence, distribution, sources, and transport of MP in the Morača river basin. The present study will be covering the entire Morača river basin, yielding crucial data on MP contamination. The MP concentration in the studied rivers varied between mean values of 28.3 ± 12.2 MP/100 g dry sediment for the Sitnica, 24.9 ± 8.1 MP/100 g dry sediment for the Ribnica, and 27.3 ± 14.1 MP/100 g dry sediment for the Cijevna. The identified MPs were mainly fragments and fibers of blue, clear and red color, 0.5–1 mm in size and mainly composed of PE and PP. The results of the pollution load index indicate that the ecological status of the Morača river basin is subject to slight MP contamination, whereas the polymer hazard index results reveal a pronounced potential for adverse ecological effects. The main contribution of this study is a new insight into MP concentration in rivers and its tributaries, where the tributaries were identified as a potential important source of MP on the Morača river. This study represents a significant step towards a comprehensive understanding of the presence, distribution, sources and transport of MP pollution in the entire Morača river basin in Montenegro. The findings of this study will contribute to the growing body of knowledge about MP pollution in freshwater ecosystems, informing future research and the development of effective mitigation strategies to protect the ecological health and biodiversity of the basins.

Hypothesis Bacterial adhesion on textile substrates is determined not only by the surface free energy (SFE) differences between bacterial cells and fibres but also by multiscale surface roughness and fabric architecture. Consequently, bacterial adhesion behaviour may deviate from classical thermodynamic predictions established for smooth, homogeneous surfaces. Experiments Bacteria–textile–liquid interactions were investigated using three woven substrates (cotton, cotton/wool, cotton/polyester) with distinct chemical composition, roughness, and SFE characteristics. Biofilm formation of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated in aqueous media with controlled surface tension (0.9% saline and saline supplemented with 0.5% and 1.0% polysorbate 80). Bacterial surface properties were characterised via contact angle analysis, and thermodynamic adhesion (∆GBLSadh) was calculated from SFE components. Findings Biofilm formation was strongly substrate- and strain-dependent, with cotton promoting the highest and cotton/wool the lowest biomass. Adhesion could not be explained by simple hydrophilic–hydrophobic matching. Although ∆GBLSadhwas positive for all bacteria–textile combinations (22–33 mJ/m²), indicating non-spontaneous adhesion under equilibrium conditions, biofilm formation occurred on all substrates and showed no consistent correspondence with thermodynamic predictions. Instead, adhesion was governed by the interplay between nanoscale roughness, surface energetics, and textile architecture (e.g., yarn density and porosity), while the influence of the growth medium was comparatively minor. These results demonstrate that classical SFE-based approaches are insufficient for fibrous materials and provide new insight into a mechanistic framework linking interfacial energetics with multiscale topography in realistic textile systems, enabling more predictive design of functional and hygienic textile surfaces.

The development of boron-based two-dimensional materials has been constrained by the absence of scalable synthesis routes producing processable material beyond substrate-bound epitaxial films. Here we demonstrate a scalable top-down strategy for producing layered boron nanosheets from bulk crystalline boron. Our approach exploits a metallurgically derived LixB1-x alloy, which undergoes controlled chemical delithiation followed by liquid-phase exfoliation to yield amorphous layered boron nanosheets as a readily dispersible powder compatible with solution processing. Structural and chemical characterization demonstrates the conversion of bulk crystalline boron into a layered, amorphous nanosheet material with micrometer-scale lateral dimensions. These nanosheets can be assembled into continuous films by spray coating, enabling systematic investigation of thickness-dependent optical properties and the fabrication of stable coatings with high solar absorptivity for concentrated solar power applications. This work establishes a metallurgical pathway to processable B/O-rich boron nanosheets, providing a scalable pathway toward processable boron-based layered nanomaterials and expanding opportunities for their integration into energy and photonic technologies.

Nanocomposites of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) have been considered in recent years as effective photocatalysts for the development of textiles with functional protective properties. This work presents a simple strategy for synthesis of a new type of amino/phosphate-functionalized TiO2/rGO hybrid nanocomposites on the surface of cotton fabric through an effective sol-gel and sol-gel/hydrothermal route. For this purpose, (trihydroxysilyl)propyl methylphosphonate (TPMP) and (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) were used to enhance the interfacial interaction among TiO2, rGO, and textiles, while also providing an antimicrobial bio-barrier and thermal stability in addition to the photocatalytic activity of TiO2/rGO. The analysis of the developed nanocomposites using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive Xray (EDS), X-ray diffraction microscopy (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the presence of all crucial active compounds in the composites and revealed the amorphous phase of TiO2 irrespective of the application route. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the presence of TPMP and APTES functional groups and the formation of Si-O-Ti and Si-O-Si bonds, indicating the successful synthesis of the amino/phosphate-functionalized TiO2/rGO nanocomposite on the surface of the cotton fabric. Compared with the sol-gel/hydrothermal route, the sol-gel route proved to be more efficient and assured the tailoring of the amino/phosphate/TiO2/rGO nanocomposite with superior performance in UV protection, antimicrobial activity against bacteria E. coli and S. aureus and photocatalytic self-cleaning activity in the discolouration of Rhodamine B dye, as well as improved thermo-oxidative stability as determined through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

The preservation of skeletonised human remains is crucial for successful archaeological and forensic analyses, yet it is influenced by various intrinsic and extrinsic factors. While numerous studies have addressed preservation states and their implications, the effects of storage conditions on taphonomically altered remains have been largely overlooked. This study examines the impact of storage conditions-freezer and room temperature-on bone samples from 21 femur shafts excavated from a World War II mass grave over a period of 1, 2, and 3 years. Changes were analysed using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and DNA analysis to explore correlations between molecular alterations and DNA preservation. Results demonstrate that storage conditions significantly affect bone preservation. Freezer storage showed minimal degradation, primarily characterised by changes in mineral crystallinity due to the loss of loosely bound ions, while collagen quality improved initially, likely due to molecular reordering. In contrast, room-temperature storage accelerated both mineral and collagen deterioration, with pronounced effects on collagen quantity and quality correlating with increased crystallinity and apatite domain proportions. DNA quality and quantity exhibited similar trends under both conditions, though correlations with mineral and collagen changes varied by storage environment. Over three years, freezer storage mitigated degradation by limiting mineral and collagen loss, whereas room-temperature storage accelerated changes, especially in collagen. These findings highlight the importance of controlled storage conditions, as significant molecular and structural alterations were observed within a relatively short period. This has important implications for the long-term preservation of forensic and archaeological samples, emphasising the need for appropriate storage strategies to ensure sample integrity for future analyses. (c) 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites are indispensable in various industries due to their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, outstanding durability, and high stiffness. However, the effective recycling of CFRP remains a major challenge and requires the development of advanced technologies and more sustainable waste management solutions. In this study, we present an efficient and reproducible method for upcycling CFRP waste into large quantities of carbon fiber composite flash graphene (CFC-FG) by cost-effective flash Joule heating (FJH) in the millisecond range. The resulting flash graphene was extensively characterized by morphological, structural, spectroscopic, and chemical analyses. These investigations revealed a highly porous, lamellar structure with a low concentration of oxygen functional groups and a turbostratic graphitic structure. Important structural features, including a distinct D' peak in Raman spectra and elliptical ring patterns observed in selected area electron diffraction (SAED), emphasized its unique properties. These combined attributes of CFCFG resulted in excellent electrochemical performance in the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e- ORR) for the electrosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). CFC-FG showed nearly 100 % selectivity and good activity in 0.1 M KOH, with stability tests confirming the retention of performance, making it a promising candidate for real electrosynthesis applications. The core concept of this work was to develop a recycled, sustainable electrocatalyst for H2O2 electrosynthesis that contributes to a circular economy and supports global sustainability goals.

The global response to COVID-19 has exposed critical gaps in rapid, ultrasensitive, and accessible diagnostic technologies, particularly in decentralised and low-resource environments. Herein, we report the development of an electrochemical biosensor designed for ultrasensitive detection of the SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) protein. This platform was rationally engineered nanocomposite combined with carboxylated graphitic carbon nitride (cGCN) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which synergistically enhance surface reactivity, electron transfer efficiency, and biomolecular interface stability. Hybrid nanomaterials can overcome the kinetic and sensitivity barriers of traditional biosensors, and a cGCN/AuNP hybrid was fabricated on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) electrodes and functionalized with in-house generated anti-RBD antibodies. Comprehensive physicochemical characterisation confirmed the successful integration and surface engineering of the composite. Using Differential Pulse Voltammetry, the sensor achieved a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.8 fM and demonstrated limit of quantification (LOQ) of 2.65 fM. This performance exceeds that of many existing SARS-CoV-2 antigen based biosensors and underscores the utility of rational nanomaterial design for high-precision point-of-care viral diagnostics. This approach is readily adaptable for detecting emerging viral pathogens and supporting future pandemic preparedness.

The reliability of infrared (IR) imaging is strongly dependent on the surface emissivity of the investigated object. Achieving near-unity emissivity is essential to IR measurement accuracy. To meet this requirement, black paint coatings are commonly applied onto the studied samples. However, there is a lack of a systematic study of the coating preparation for IR measurements. In this work, a new procedure is developed for the preparation of black paint coatings using the cost-effective airbrush tool. With this novel method, it can achieve black paint coatings as thin as approximate to 3 mu m or thicker, depending on the number of layers. The coatings are homogeneous and with excellent adhesion to the substrate. Furthermore, the coatings can be entirely removed from the substrate using conventional laboratory solutions. The coatings exhibited an average emissivity of approximate to 0.95 within the 0.5-2.5 mu m wavelength range. The quality of the coatings is validated by directly measuring the magnetocaloric response of a commercially available material, which is in excellent agreement with the supplier's datasheet. In this way, a novel affordable black coating method is showcased, which can be applied on a wide variety of samples for IR measurements, broadening the possibilities for IR characterizations.

The development of textile coatings as alternatives to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a high priority due to global regulatory efforts aiming to phase out PFAS, driven by alarming environmental contamination and significant human health concerns. To address the urgent need for replacements, this research develops a health-friendly hydrophobic coating for two of the most common textile substrates, cotton and polyester. The developed coating, consisting of chitosan matrix and octenyl succinic anhydride-modified starch in synergy with ZnO, achieved water contact angles up to 132°. A successful transition to industrial application provided a translucent and homogeneous hydrophobic protection, without noticeably affecting the material's physical properties. Maintained or improved mechanical properties, supported by FTIR analysis, indicate a benign coating process that provides fiber reinforcement. Durability is demonstrated through multiple washing cycles without decrease in hydrophobicity, and high abrasion resistance (min. 20,000 cycles), winning against its commercial fluorinated counterpart. The water-repellent properties show stability over a longer period of time (min. 230 days). The biodegradability study confirmed the environmental compatibility as the biopolymer coating decomposed in 8 days. Finally, multivariate statistical analysis determined an optimal coating process to ensure effective integration of the newly developed sustainable coating into textile manufacturing processes.

A smart viscose fabric with temperature and pH responsiveness and proactive antibacterial and UV protection was developed. PNCS (poly-(N-isopropylakrylamide)/chitosan) hydrogel was used as the carrier of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), synthesised in an environmentally friendly manner using AgNO3 and a sumac leaf extract. PNCS hydrogel and Ag NPs were applied to the viscose fabric by either in situ synthesis of Ag NPs on the surface of viscose fibres previously modified with PNCS hydrogel, or by the direct immobilisation of Ag NPs by the dehydration/hydration of the PNCS hydrogel with the nanodispersion of Ag NPs in the sumac leaf extract and subsequent application to the viscose fibres. Compared to the pre-functionalised PNCS application method, the in situ functionalisation imparted much higher concentration of Ag NPs on the fibres, colouring the samples brown to brown-green. These samples showed more than 90% reduction in the test bacteria E. coli and S. aureus and provided excellent UV protection. In this case, the PNCS hydrogel acted as a reservoir for Ag NPs, whose release was based on a diffusion-controlled mechanism. Despite the Ag NPs decreasing the responsiveness of the PNCS hydrogel, the moisture management was still preserved in the modified samples. Accordingly, the PNCS hydrogel is a suitable carrier for biosynthesized Ag NPs to tailor the protective smart surface of viscose fibres.

Graphene, a two-dimensional carbon material, possesses exceptional properties such as high electron mobility, exceptional strength that surpasses that of steel, chemical resistance, environmental friendliness, and a large specific surface area. In this study, we used the modified Hummer process to produce graphene oxide, which was applied to an aluminum alloy substrate as a corrosion-resistant coating. The aluminum alloy used in our study is AA2024, which is widely applied in industry and aircraft. The coating layer was characterized by micro-Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) before and after the reduction process. Micro-Raman spectroscopy provided information on the degree of reduction and the presence of functional groups in the coating layer. AFM images enabled the study of surface morphology and topography. After the reduction process, achieved by annealing in an argon atmosphere at 140 °C, micro-Raman spectroscopy and AFM were again used to assess structural and morphological changes. The reduction resulted in the formation of reduced graphene oxide (RGO), which exhibited improved conductivity and stability. The combination of micro-Raman spectroscopy and AFM characterization techniques provided detailed information on the properties and effectiveness of the coating layer. This research contributes to developing anti-corrosion methods using advanced materials and surface engineering techniques.

Electrodeposition is a low-cost and mature industrial technique for large-scale perovskite solar cells (PSCs) manufacturing. The present work provides new insights into developing compact and mesoporous electron transport layers for PSCs via the electrodeposition technique in one pot. By the precise control of current density and deposition duration during the process, both the compact blocking layer and mesoporous layer can be stepwise developed, with optimized structural, morphological and optoelectrical characteristics for solar cells application. Herein, TiO2 electrodeposited thin films are developed, with low defect density, high crystallinity and beneficial morphology for their subsequent application as substrates for perovskite heterogeneous nucleation. In this direction, the scalable electrodeposited PSCs developed under the optimized manufacturing protocol demonstrated power conversion efficiency (PCE) up to 10.83 %, significantly surpassing the 6.85 % record of the spin-coated devices. The increased light harvesting efficiency, enhanced absorbed-photon-to-electron quantum efficiency and low charge recombination losses in the electrodeposited solar cells were identified as determent factors for this PCE enhancement. The stability of the unencapsulated devices under ISOS-D-1 protocol conditions was also found increased, with their T70 exceeding 1000 h. This study highlights a scalable approach for the development of highly efficient and stable perovskite photovoltaics.

Molecular characteristics of skeletal remains were studied utilizing ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, focusing on comparisons between mature adult and immature non-adult skeletal elements. To cover the intra-skeletal variability, different types of bones were analysed. The objective was to identify significant differences between various skeletal elements of adults and non-adults. Additionally, the correlation between observed differences and DNA preservation was investigated.Despite exposure to taphonomic factors, findings indicate minimal diagenetic changes or a well-balanced alteration in mineral and collagen within bones. The identified differences primarily reflect functional and structural differences among various skeletal elements. Significant differences between adults and non-adults, or lack of it, is attributed to different paths of bone maturation from childhood to adulthood.High DNA preservation in non-adult petrous bones was attributed to the interplay between DNA and carbonates, both occupying hydroxyl sites in the lattice. Conversely, lower DNA content in other bones, especially non-adult bones, was correlated with high relative concentrations of collagen, in which DNA is less stable and more prone to degradation.This study highlights the importance of skeletal variation (inter, intra, developmental stage) when assessing the preservation state of the remains and choosing samples for further analyses such as DNA. For the first time, differences between mature adult and immature non-adult bones are included.

A comparative analysis of 26 petrous bones and epiphyses of metacarpals from the Second World War era revealed no significant differences in DNA yield or success in STR typing. This unexpected parity in DNA preservation between the petrous bone, a renowned source of endogenous DNA in skeletal remains, and the epiphyses of metacarpals, which are porous and susceptible to taphonomic changes, is surprising. In this study, we introduced ATR-FTIR spectroscopy as an approach to unravel the correlation between bone molecular structure and DNA preservation.Metacarpals and petrous bones with same taphonomic history were sampled and prepared for DNA analyses. While one portion of the sample was used for DNA analysis, the other underwent ATR-FTIR spectroscopic examination. The normalized spectra and FTIR indices between the epiphyses of metacarpals and petrous bones were compared.Because the taphonomic history of the remains used is relatively short and stable, the ATR-FTIR spectroscopy unveiled subtle structural differences between the two bone types. Petrous bones exhibited higher mineralization, whereas epiphyses contained more organic matter. The unexpected preservation of DNA in the epiphyses of metacarpals can likely be attributed to the presence of soft tissue remnants within the trabeculae. Here observed differences in the molecular structure of bones indicate there are different mechanisms enabling DNA preservation in skeletal tissues.