The industries play a significant role in environmental pollution by discharging wastewater laden with dyes and harmful chemicals. The release of large quantities of dyes into aquatic systems presents serious ecological and health risks. In response, various cost-effective technologies for wastewater treatment have been explored, among which photocatalysis has gained significant attention as an efficient environmentally friendly approach. Pure zinc ferrite nanoparticles (ZF NPs) have emerged as promising photocatalytic materials due to their structural and magnetic properties. These features facilitate the easy recovery and reuse of the catalyst, thus promoting environmental sustainability. However, their photocatalytic efficiency is often constrained by rapid recombination of charge carriers and limited absorption of visible light, which reduce their overall activity. To address these limitations, several modification strategies have been employed, including elemental doping and composite formation. These approaches enhance charge separation, extend light absorption, and improve the overall photocatalytic performance. This review critically examines the synthesis, structural properties, and photocatalytic applications of zinc ferrite-based nanomaterials (ZFNMs). It also highlights degradation mechanisms, modification strategies, and associated challenges. Finally, it provides a comprehensive and updated assessment of ZFNMs, offering insights into their design, performance optimization, and potential applications in sustainable wastewater remediation.

The development of cost-effective and efficient sensors for nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) is crucial due to their toxic and explosive nature. Herein, we report the green synthesis of a naphthalene-anchored ETTA (ethanetetrayl-tetra-aniline)-based 2D covalent organic framework (ETTA-2DCOF) via a Schiff-base reaction, avoiding toxic reagents and harsh conditions. Structural analysis revealed a well-defined crystalline framework with dual porosity, excellent stability, broad fluorescence emission (402-424 nm), and a long lifetime (7.19 ns). As a fluorescent sensor, ETTA-2DCOF exhibits exceptional performance for TNP detection, including a wide detection range (0.5-25 ppm), high sensitivity (Ksv = 5.86 x107 M-1; Kq = 0.815 x1016 M-1.s-1), high quenching efficiency (96.42 +/- 1.37 %), ultralow detection limit (0.41 ppb), excellent selectivity, and superior reusability. Importantly, the sensor achieved 90.91 +/- 0.79 % and 86.93 +/- 1.80 % TNP recovery from ground and river water, respectively. The outstanding performance is attributed to the unique combination of it-electron-rich units with enhanced restricted intramolecular rotation, dual-porous crystalline structure, and involvement of rapid dynamic-quenching mechanism. This study demonstrates the critical role of RIR units in both structural integrity and sensing functionality and establishes a new approach for designing high-performance 2DCOF-based fluorescent sensors for environmental monitoring of hazardous pollutants.

Rational compositional engineering of complex hydrides emerges as an effective strategy to achieve high hydrogen storage capacity and enhanced thermodynamic stability. In this context, DFT simulations are employed to systematically explore the impact of Al substitution on the physical and hydrogen-storage properties of Li(Ga1-xAlx)H4 (x = 0.25, 0.50, 0.75) hydrides. Phonon Dispersion analysis reveals a progressive improvement in the structural stability of the host compound with increasing Al concentration. It is worth mentioning that the Al-rich LiGa0.25Al0.75H4 compound becomes dynamically stable over the entire Brillouin zone. The computed elastic constants for all Li(Ga1-xAlx)H4 compositions fulfill the Born criteria, which confirm the elastic stability of the studied compounds. Interestingly, the Al-rich LiGa0.25Al0.75H4 compound achieves the highest gravimetric hydrogen capacity (8.29 wt%) and volumetric capacity (∼97 gH2L-1), meeting US-DOE targets. Furthermore, the diffusion barrier of H- ion has been computed along three different paths. This research work identifies LiGa0.25Al0.75H4 as a particularly promising complex hydride and demonstrates that targeted Al substitution in LiGaH4 is an effective strategy for engineering stable, high-capacity compounds for solid-state hydrogen storage.

Driven by the intensifying global energy crisis, significant efforts have been focused on designing advanced nanostructured electrode materials that are capable of delivering both energy and power output simultaneously while ensuring optimized diffusion dynamics. Herein, a rationally engineered Cu2Mn3O8 (CMO) and its nanocomposites with 3%, 6%, and 9% carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (CMO-1, CMO-2, and CMO-3, respectively) were prepared via a cost-effective synthesis method. Quasi-rectangular, polyhedral structures were revealed via electron microscopy. A hybrid charge-storage mechanism was observed via voltammetric analysis combined with insights from Dunn's model. Galvanostatic charge-discharge testing revealed that CMO-2 delivered a specific capacity of 954.25 C g-1 at 11.76 A g-1, accompanied by an excellent energy density of 66.26 Wh kg-1 and power density of 2941.17 W kg-1. Notably, the electrode retained 99% of its initial capacity after 3000 cycles, confirming excellent durability. Galvanostatic intermittent titration technique measurements further estimated a diffusion coefficient of similar to 4.96 x 10-15 m2 s-1 for the optimized sample, highlighting efficient ion transport through the electrode material. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed a low solution resistance of 0.91 Omega, high conductivity of 0.099 S cm-1, and a short relaxation time of 0.082 s. The observed agglomeration of CNTs in CMO-3 reduced the ion diffusion coefficient, highlighting a critical consideration for future researchers in optimizing material design. Collectively, these results position CMO-2 as a highly attractive electrode material for future hybrid supercapacitors.

Water contamination by synthetic dyes poses severe environmental and health risks, necessitating efficient solardriven remediation technologies. Herein, we report the rational design and synthesis of MIL-53(Fe)@BiOI heterojunctions via a facile solvothermal approach, achieving intimate interfacial contact between the porous ironbased MOF and visible-light-active BiOI nanosheets. Comprehensive characterization (XRD, FT-IR, SEM, EDX, UV-Vis spectroscopy) confirmed successful heterostructure formation, significant bandgap narrowing (from 2.65 eV in pristine MIL-53(Fe) to 2.06 eV in the 5 wt% BiOI composite), and enhanced charge separation. The MIL-53(Fe)@BiOI-5% composite exhibited superior photocatalytic activity, degrading 97% of methylene blue under natural sunlight within 120 min, far outperforming the pristine MOF. Response surface methodology coupled with Box-Behnken design (RSM-BBD) systematically optimized key operational parameters (catalyst dosage, irradiation time, pH), revealing strong synergistic interactions, particularly the dominant role of acidic conditions (pH 3). Under optimized conditions (0.05 g catalyst, 120 min, pH 3), complete MB degradation (100%) was achieved with excellent model fidelity (R2 = 0.9796, adjusted R2 = 0.9533). This work reports the rational design and RSM-BBD optimization of a pristine MIL-53(Fe)@BiOI heterojunction for efficient solardriven (natural sunlight) photocatalytic dye degradation, providing new insights into interfacial charge transfer and a scalable pathway for real-world wastewater treatment.

The discharge of industrial dyes and transition-metal cations into water creates toxic pollution and serious health risks, yet most existing materials remove either dyes or metal ions, not both. In this regard a new homogenous poly(chitosan-4-vinylphenol-acrylic acid) P(CVA) microgel has been designed to remove both dyes and metal cations. The P(CVA) system was synthesized using microwave radiation and employed as an adsorbent for the removal of nickel (II) (Ni(II)) ions from aqueous media under various conditions like different Ni(II) ions content, shaking period, pH of medium, and doses of P(CVA) and percentage removal (94%) and adsorption capacity (192 mg/g) were obtained. The adsorption performance of Ni(II) ions with P(CVA) was examined under several adsorption isotherms and kinetics of this extraction were evaluated using the intra-particle diffusion model (InPDM), elovich model (ElM), pseudo-first-order (Ps1stO), and pseudo-second-order (Ps2ndO). Furthermore, Ni nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by applying in-situ reduction method on metal ions loaded system. The resulting Ni NPs decorated P(CVA) (Ni-P(CVA)) systems showed the catalytic reduce performance against various pollutants from aqueous medium like methyl orange (MeO), p-nitroaniline (PNiA), rhodamine-B (RhB), and chromium(VI) (CrVI) ions. The performance of Ni-P(CVA) was evaluated with pseudo-first-order rate constant (kap), resulting kap values were 1.105 min-1, 0.252 min-1, 1.016 min-1, and 1.547 min-1 for PNiA, CrVI, RhB, and MeO reduction respectively. Ni-P(CVA) system shows outstanding catalytic behavior for diverse toxins reduction.

Aromatic compounds containing aldehyde and nitro groups are very toxic to human health. Moreover, complete degradation of these compounds is not possible. Therefore, these compounds are converted into less toxic but more useful hydroxy-methyl aniline (HMA) derivatives. This conversion is performed using a suitable catalyst and a reducing agent. Therefore, alginate-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-methacrylic acid) (AN-P(NIPAM-MAAc)) (AN-P(NM)) microgels were synthesized via a free radical precipitation polymerization (FRPP) method and were used as a micro-reactor for synthesis of silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) into the polymeric network using in situ reduction methods. The synthesized AN-P(NM) microgels and Ag-AN-P(NM) hybrid microgels were characterized through SEM, FTIR, TEM, XRD, UV-vis spectroscopy, and EDX. Ag-AN-P(NM) exhibited temperature- and pH-responsive behavior as well as long-term stability of Ag nanoparticles in a polymeric network of AP(NM). Catalytic reduction of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde (4NBA) was evaluated under different conditions, such as different contents of Ag-AN-P(NM), 4NBA concentrations, temperatures, and concentrations of NaBH4. The Ag-AP(NM) hybrid microgels catalytically reduced 3-nitrobenzaldehyde (3NBA), 4NBA, and 3,5-dinitrobanzaldehyde (3,5DNBA) into their corresponding HA compounds in a water medium. The apparent rate constant (k ob) values for 3NBA, 4NBA, and 3,5DNBA were found to be 1.73 min-1, 1.48 min-1, and 1.19 min-1, respectively. Ag-AP(NM) exhibited outstanding catalytic efficiency, recyclability, and stability as well as retained its performance across multiple cycles.

Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) is a nonionic, thermo-responsive polymer with temperature-dependent phase behavior. This behavior can be modified by grafting molecular units and polymer brushes onto the cellulose backbone. However, the thermo-response of such modified celluloses under biological and environmental conditions, such as pH, has been scarcely reported. This study details the synthesis and characterization of dualtemperature- and pH-responsive poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)-graft-hydroxypropyl cellulose (PVP-g-HPC) by organocatalyzed visible-light-driven atom transfer radical polymerization (O-ATRP). Employing a "grafting-from" approach, we synthesized a series of PVP-g-HPCs with controlled molecular weight and narrow dispersity. By precisely adjusting the molar ratios of HPC and N-vinyl pyrrolidone, we investigated the changes in the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) under various pH conditions. Our results revealed that the thermoresponsive PVP side chains exhibited a reverse dependence on pH. Additionally, the LCST window of HPC thermo-responsive derivatives was expanded to 37 degrees C within the physiological pH range.

Aromatic compounds containing aldehyde and nitro groups are very toxic to human health. Moreover, complete degradation of these compounds is not possible. Therefore, these compounds are converted into less toxic but more useful hydroxy-methyl aniline (HMA) derivatives. This conversion is performed using a suitable catalyst and a reducing agent. Therefore, alginate-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-methacrylic acid) (AN-P(NIPAM-MAAc)) (AN-P(NM)) microgels were synthesized via a free radical precipitation polymerization (FRPP) method and were used as a micro-reactor for synthesis of silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) into the polymeric network using in situ reduction methods. The synthesized AN-P(NM) microgels and Ag-AN-P(NM) hybrid microgels were characterized through SEM, FTIR, TEM, XRD, UV-vis spectroscopy, and EDX. Ag-AN-P(NM) exhibited temperature- and pH-responsive behavior as well as long-term stability of Ag nanoparticles in a polymeric network of AP(NM). Catalytic reduction of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde (4NBA) was evaluated under different conditions, such as different contents of Ag-AN-P(NM), 4NBA concentrations, temperatures, and concentrations of NaBH4. The Ag-AP(NM) hybrid microgels catalytically reduced 3-nitrobenzaldehyde (3NBA), 4NBA, and 3,5-dinitrobanzaldehyde (3,5DNBA) into their corresponding HA compounds in a water medium. The apparent rate constant (k ob) values for 3NBA, 4NBA, and 3,5DNBA were found to be 1.73 min-1, 1.48 min-1, and 1.19 min-1, respectively. Ag-AP(NM) exhibited outstanding catalytic efficiency, recyclability, and stability as well as retained its performance across multiple cycles.

A novel bimetallic nickel-copper doped zinc ferrite based catalyst has been synthesized using the hydrothermal method. The nano-sized bimetallic (Ni-Cu) zinc ferrites were embedded with graphene oxide (GO). The characterization of nano-sized bimetallic (Ni-Cu) zinc ferrites with graphene oxide (GO) involves a comprehensive set of analytical techniques to determine their elemental composition, structural properties, and morphological features. The prepared materials were also subjected to structural and morphological evaluation through FTIR, Raman, XRD, TGA, UV–vis spectroscopy, and SEM with EDX. The experiment for the photodegradation of the selected model pollutant dye, methylene blue was conducted using the prepared materials. This means that the present photocatalyst has a high efficiency of degrading the pollutant to a tune of 99 % within 3 h. When the amount of GO in the prepared nanocomposite was 40 %, there was the perfect result in terms of no degradation of MB. It reduced and deteriorated the degree of band gap energy of the MB dye. The photocatalyst activity was proven to be repeatable; the sample's use was again possible. A decrease in the band gap energy implies that the improved photocatalyst material becomes more efficient at absorbing light energy. This enhanced light absorption promotes the generation of electron-hole pairs, which are essential for catalytic reactions. Therefore, the reduction in band gap energy likely contributes to the catalyst's heightened ability to initiate the degradation of the MB dye, ultimately leading to more effective pollutant removal. In the future, the synthesized sample can be reused without significant loss in its catalytic efficiency, underscoring the stability and durability of the material. The current study has paramount importance for real-world applications; reliable performance over multiple cycles ensures that the catalyst remains effective in addressing pollution challenges over prolonged periods.

This study highlights the transformation of lignin, an agricultural byproduct, into a multifunctional material with significant environmental applications. A chromium-doped zinc oxide/lignin nanocomposite (L@CrZnO) was synthesized and characterized to evaluate its dual functionality in organic pollutant removal and antibacterial activity. Methylene blue (MB) was used as a model contaminant to assess photocatalytic performance under varying conditions of dosage (0.005-0.025 g/mL), reaction time (30-75 min), and temperature (25-40 degrees C). Optimization using the Box-Behnken design revealed a 94 % confidence level between predicted and experimental outcomes. Additionally, L@CrZnO exhibited superior antibacterial activity, with inhibition zones of 5.5 +/- 0.3 cm for Staphylococcus aureus and 5.8 +/- 0.1 cm for Escherichia coli. These results demonstrate the material's potential as a versatile tool for water purification and pathogen control. This work underscores the value of lignin in developing sustainable, high-performance materials for environmental remediation.

This study investigates the molecular interactions between cationic surfactants cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) in aqueous deep eutectic solvent (DES) solution over the temperature range of 293.15–313.15 K. Key parameters, including density, sound velocity, and electrical conductivity, was experimentally measured to derive a range of volumetric, acoustic, and conductometric properties that provide insights into the molecular behavior of these solutions. Apparent molar volume (фv), indicative of solute–solvent interactions; isentropic compressibility (KS), reflecting medium elasticity; and apparent molar compressibility (фK), which elucidates solute-induced compressibility changes, were determined from the experimental data. Additionally, specific acoustic impedance (Z), represents the medium’s resistance to sound propagation; relative association (RA), indicative of solute–solvent interaction strength; intermolecular free length (Lf), corresponding to the average distance between molecules; and the sound velocity number (U), which relates to the structural compactness of the solution, were also calculated. Collectively, these parameters offer a comprehensive understanding of the molecular interactions, solvation dynamics, and structural organization in the surfactant systems in the presence of DESs, enhancing our knowledge of their behavior under varying conditions.

In tandem with conductive carbon nanomaterials, redox-active spinel oxides offer a promising strategy to improve the efficacy of electrochemical energy storage devices. Among them, CuCo2O4 (CCO) has attracted considerable attention; however, systematic evaluations of its controlled morphology and diffusion dynamics in varied electrolytes remain scarce. In this study, we engineered CCO nanorods, spherical particles, and their nanocomposites with carbon nanotubes (5, 10, and 15 wt%), named CCO-I, CCO-II, and CCO-III, to investigate diffusion behaviour using the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique across different electrolytic conditions, along with key performance parameters. Electron microscopy verified the successful formation of the desired morphologies, where nanorods provided large surface-active sites and spherical particles offered high volumetric energy density. Electrochemical measurements in 1 M KOH, coupled with theoretical investigation using Dunn's model and determination coefficients (R 2), revealed a mixed capacitive-faradaic charge storage nature of the samples. Among all variants, CCO-II delivered the best performance, with a specific capacity of 1702.01 C g-1 along with an energy density of 113.46 Wh kg-1. It also retained 99.94% capacity after 4500 cycles at 0.4 A g-1, while galvanostatic intermittent titration technique showed balanced diffusion coefficients of 3.9 × 10-11 cm2 s-1 in 1 M KOH and 4.1 × 10-11 cm2 s-1 in 3 M NaOH. Further, the optimized sample exhibited low internal resistance and high ionic conductivity. Overall, these results highlight the potential of the CCO-II as a promising candidate for high-performance energy storage electrodes.

This study utilized an eco-friendly, simple, and cost-effective co-precipitation method to synthesize pure MnS and a series of Co/MnS nanoparticles (NPs) with varying cobalt contents (2

The synthesis of a series of new fluorophenyl- and alkyl-substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives (4a-o), which act as potent enzyme inhibitors selectively targeting urease and alpha-glucosidase, is reported in this study. These compounds were prepared via a multi-step process involving the cyclization of thiosemicarbazides, derived from alkyl hydrazides and fluorophenyl isothiocyanates, with the hydrazides prepared from aliphatic esters. FT-IR, NMR, and EI-MS studies were used to assess the structures of the synthesized 1,3,4-oxadiazoles. Enzyme inhibitory assay exhibited that 4-fluorophenyl-substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazoles with butyl (4k), hexyl (4l), heptyl (4m), and nonyl (4n) side chains exhibited significant urease inhibition, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (EC50) values of 48.58 +/- 3.2, 57.51 +/- 0.1, 68.60 +/- 0.1, and 88.76 +/- 0.2 mu M, respectively, compared to the standard thiourea (EC50 24.14 mu M). Additionally, compounds 4k, 4l, and 4m demonstrated promising alpha-glucosidase inhibition, with EC50 values of 136.04 +/- 0.3, 153.45 +/- 1.9, and 194.66 +/- 1.7 mu M, respectively, relative to the standard acarbose (EC50 51.23 mu M). Moreover, molecular docking studies highlighted critical binding interactions, with compounds 4k and 4l exhibiting the strongest docking affinities, correlating well with their in vitro inhibition results, while 4m also demonstrated significant binding interactions despite its higher EC50, offering deeper insights into structure-activity relationships.