Amina Lissaneddine, Marie‐Noëlle Pons, Faissal Aziz et al.

Journal of Water Process Engineering • 2024

Iveta Brožková, Libor Červenka, Petra Moťková et al.

Applied Sciences • 2022

This review deals with microbial adhesion to metal-based surfaces and the subsequent biofilm formation, showing that both processes are a serious problem in the food industry, where pathogenic microorganisms released from the biofilm structure may pollute food and related material during their production. Biofilm exhibits an increased resistance toward sanitizers and disinfectants, which complicates the removal or inactivation of microorganisms in these products. In the existing traditional techniques and modern approaches for clean-in-place, electrochemical biofilm control offers promising technology, where surface properties or the reactions taking place on the surface are controlled to delay or prevent cell attachment or to remove microbial cells from the surface. In this overview, biofilm characterization, the classification of bacteria-forming biofilms, the influence of environmental conditions for bacterial attachment to material surfaces, and the evaluation of the role of biofilm morphology are described in detail. Health aspects, biofilm control methods in the food industry, and conventional approaches to biofilm removal are included as well, in order to consider the possibilities and limitations of various electrochemical approaches to biofilm control with respect to potential applications in the food industry.

Aswathy Udayan, Nidhin Sreekumar, Muthu Arumugam

Systems Microbiology and Biomanufacturing • 2022

Mansi Gandhi, Khairunnisa Amreen

Electrochem • 2022

The profiling, or fingerprinting, of distinct varieties of the Plantae kingdom is based on the bioactive ingredients, which are systematically segregated to perform their detailed analysis. The secondary products portray a pivotal role in defining the ecophysiology of distinct plant species. There is a crucial role of the profiling domain in understanding the various features, characteristics, and conditions related to plants. Advancements in variable technologies have contributed to the development of highly specific sensors for the non-invasive detection of molecules. Furthermore, many hyphenated techniques have led to the development of highly specific integrated systems that allow multiplexed detection, such as high-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, etc., which are quite cumbersome and un-economical. In contrast, electrochemical sensors are a promising alternative which are capable of performing the precise recognition of compounds due to efficient signal transduction. However, due to a few bottlenecks in understanding the principles and non-redox features of minimal metabolites, the area has not been explored. This review article provides an insight to the electrochemical basis of plants in comparison with other traditional approaches and with necessary positive and negative outlooks. Studies consisting of the idea of merging the fields are limited; hence, relevant non-phytochemical reports are included for a better comparison of reports to broaden the scope of this work.

Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Masaya Miyazaki

Molecules • 2024

Bioremediation uses the degradation abilities of microorganisms and other organisms to remove harmful pollutants that pollute the natural environment, helping return it to a natural state that is free of harmful substances. Organism-derived enzymes can degrade and eliminate a variety of pollutants and transform them into non-toxic forms; as such, they are expected to be used in bioremediation. However, since enzymes are proteins, the low operational stability and catalytic efficiency of free enzyme-based degradation systems need improvement. Enzyme immobilization methods are often used to overcome these challenges. Several enzyme immobilization methods have been applied to improve operational stability and reduce remediation costs. Herein, we review recent advancements in immobilized enzymes for bioremediation and summarize the methods for preparing immobilized enzymes for use as catalysts and in pollutant degradation systems. Additionally, the advantages, limitations, and future perspectives of immobilized enzymes in bioremediation are discussed.

Zheng Yuhong, Pengcong Zhang, Li Fu

Journal of the Professional Association for Cactus Development • 2023

Plant polysaccharides are rich in physiological activities, which are beneficial for developing new drugs, nutraceuticals and functional foods. Cactus is of interest to researchers in agronomy, medicine and food chemistry because of its long history of medicinal use, its simple growing requirements and biological basis for becoming a green vegetable. This review provides the first summary and analysis of the research history of cactus polysaccharides through a bibliometric approach. Bibliometrics was used to investigate the focus of different stages of development of the topic, with contributions from different countries and institutions. In addition, keyword analysis and keyword clustering were used to understand the different research directions of this topic. The analysis showed that (1) the study of cactus plant polysaccharides is a long-established topic but did not attract much attention in its early stages. (2) In 2018, research on cactus polysaccharides has received more attention than ever before. (3) Mexican institutions and scholars have contributed the most important contributions to this topic. (4) This theme has only formed one complex network of cooperation, mainly composed of Mexican institutions and scholars. (5) Early studies on cactus polysaccharides focused on the detection, extraction and purification of polysaccharide content. (6) The biological activities of plant polysaccharides have gradually become the focus of research in recent years. (7) The biological activity of plant polysaccharides has been verified from in vitro experiments and in vivo experiments with positive results.

Phan Khanh Thinh Nguyen, Thi Thu Ha Tran, Tuan Loi Nguyen

International Journal of Energy Research • 2024

Dark fermentative hydrogen (H 2 ) production from water hyacinth (WH) is considered a potentially sustainable process that helps minimize this weed’s harmful effects on the ecosystem and dependence on fossil fuels. To create a quick and precise tool for simulating and optimizing this process, this study applied the combination of the physics‐based model and artificial intelligence approaches for the first time. The physics‐based model was used as a computational experimental dataset generator to save time and cost in acquiring experimental data. Such a synthetic dataset was used to train the artificial neural network (ANN) model, which can predict the performance of dark fermentation fed with water hyacinth (DF@WH) in a fraction of the time. The particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm was then integrated to identify the ideal conditions for DF@WH. H 2 productivity and total energy recovery were selected as objectives based on basic operating parameters such as substrate concentration, initial pH, temperature, and operating time. The optimization results revealed that the maximum values of H 2 productivity (i.e., the maximum yield of 266.8 mL/g‐TS and the maximum rate of 80.5 mL/L/h) and energy efficiency (i.e., 11.4%) cannot be achieved simultaneously under a specific optimal condition. Instead, when these targets were considered equally important, the balance optimal condition was determined at a substrate concentration of 8.9 g‐TS/L, an initial pH of 6.5, a temperature of 33.9°C, and an operating time of 28.2 h. Under such conditions, H 2 productivity can be achieved with a yield of 200.2 mL/g‐TS at a production rate of 62.9 mL/L/h and a total energy recovery of 11.0%.

Arun Banotra, Vishal Singh, Saleem Khan et al.

ECS Journal of Solid State Science and Technology • 2023

Facile synthesis demonstrated formation of CuO/rGO composite for enhanced optical and electrical characteristics for sensing and photonic devices. CuO nanoparticles synthesized using sol-gel method and various rGO percentages (10%–30%) were loaded to form composite via ultra-sonic assisted technique. Structural study using XRD and TEM confirms the formation of CuO polyhedral nanoparticles with monoclinic structure showing deviations in the unit cell parameters, crystallite size, axis strain. These deviations cause transformation of polyhedral particles into rod shaped nanocomposites with embedded CuO single crystals with changed rGO. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed varied elemental composition of CuO/rGO nanocomposites having Cu 2+ chemical state. Optical measurements exhibit modified direct (1.54 eV–1.51 eV) and indirect bandgap (1.38 eV–1.31 eV) having higher absorption in Visible to NIR region for photovoltaic applications. Raman spectroscopy and FTIR confirms the presence of Raman active bands and functional groups corresponding to Cu-O. Electrical measurements shows decreased resistance with increased incorporation of rGO. The higher presence of oxygen sites and low resistance facilitate easy electron transport alongwith an optimum bandgap (1.51 eV) and higher absorption in Visible to NIR region showed possible utility of the grown nanoparticles and composites in gas/photo sensing and optoelectronic applications.

Laís Gimenes Vernasqui, Alexsandro J. dos Santos, Guilherme V. Fortunato et al.

Chemosphere • 2022

Sathaniswarman Remesh, Mugashini Vasudevan, Mineesha Sivakumar et al.

Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers • 2023

E. Vernickaite, Oksana Bersirova, H. Cesiulis et al.

Coatings • 2019

The given research was driven by prospects to design Mo-rich coatings with iron group metals electrodeposited from a highly saturated ammonium acetate bath. The obtained coatings could be employed as prominent electrodes for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). It was found that the Mo content in Ni–Mo alloys can be tuned from 30 to 78 at.% by decreasing the molar ratio [Ni(II)]:[Mo(VI)] in the electrolyte from 1.0 to 0.25 and increasing the cathodic current density from 30 to 100 mA/cm2. However, dense cracks and pits are formed due to hydrogen evolution at high current densities and that diminishes the catalytic activity of the coating for HER. Accordingly, smoother and crack-free Ni–54 at.% Mo, Co–52 at.% Mo and Fe–54 at.% Mo alloys have been prepared at 30 mA/cm2. Their catalytic behavior for HER has been investigated in a 30 wt.% NaOH solution at temperatures ranging from 25 to 65 °C. A significant improvement of electrocatalytic activity with increasing bath temperature was noticed. The results showed that the sequence of electrocatalytic activity in alkaline media decreases in the following order: Co–52 at.% Mo > Ni–54 at.% Mo > Fe–54 at.% Mo. These peculiarities might be linked with different catalytic behavior of formed intermetallics (and active sites) in electrodeposited alloys. The designed electrodeposited Mo-rich alloys have a higher catalytic activity than Mo and Pt cast metals.

Xu Zhang, Amanda Luther, Korneel Rabaey et al.

Bioelectrochemistry • 2023

B. Jagadeeswara Reddy, Sneha Latha Pala, Wondwosen Kebede Biftu et al.

Water Practice & Technology • 2021

Abstract Sorbents derived from stem powders of Feronia limonia (FLSP), Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (APSP) and Pumpkin (Cucurbitapepo) (PSP) plants are investigated for the removal of Cu2+ ions from polluted water by adopting batch methods of extraction. Extraction conditions are optimized for the effective removal of Cu2+ ions. High sorption capacities are observed: 175.5 mg/g for FLSP; 140.4 mg/g for APSP; 130.0 mg/g for PSP. Effective pH ranges are: 5 to 10 for FLSP; 6 to 10 for APSP and 7 to 10 for PSP. The three spent adsorbents can be regenerated and used. Thermodynamic parameters indicate that the adsorption process is spontaneous, endothermic and have positive change in entropy values. As ΔH values are more than 25.0 kJ/mole, the adsorption may be due to surface complex formation between Cu2+ ions and functional groups of the adsorbents viz., -OH, -COOH etc. in the effective pH ranges. The good adsorption behaviour of FLSP even in acidic pHs may be due to the ion-exchange of Cu2+ ions for H+ ions of the functional groups of the adsorbent. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm and pseudo second-order model describe well the adsorption process. The sorbents are effectively applied to treat effluents from Cu-based industries and polluted lake water.

E. Alperay Tarim, H. Cumhur Tekin

Scientific Reports • 2024

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a widespread condition with considerable health and economic impacts globally. However, existing methodologies for serum creatinine assessment often involve prolonged wait times and sophisticated equipment, such as spectrometers, hindering real-time diagnosis and care. Innovative solutions like point-of-care (POC) devices are emerging to address these challenges. In this context, there is a recognized need for remote, regular, automated, and low-cost analysis of serum creatinine levels, given its role as a critical parameter for CKD diagnosis and management. This study introduces a miniaturized system with integrated heater elements designed for precise serum creatinine measurement. The system operates based on the Jaffe method and accurate serum creatinine measurement within a microreservoir chip. Smartphone-based image processing using the hue-saturation-value (HSV) color space was applied to captured images of microreservoirs. The creatinine analyses were conducted in serum with a limit of detection of ~ 0.4 mg/dL and limit of quantification of ~ 1.3 mg/dL. Smartphone-based image processing employing the HSV color space outperformed spectrometric analysis for creatinine measurement conducted in serum. This pioneering technology and smartphone-based processing offer the potential for decentralized renal function testing, which could significantly contribute to improved patient care. The miniaturized system offers a low-cost alternative ($87 per device), potentially reducing healthcare expenditures (~ $0.5 per test) associated with CKD diagnosis and management. This innovation could greatly improve access to diagnosis and monitoring of CKD, especially in regions where access to sophisticated laboratory equipment is limited.

Dylan G. Boucher, Emily Carroll, Zachary A. Nguyen et al.

Angewandte Chemie • 2023

Abstract Bioelectrocatalytic synthesis is the conversion of electrical energy into value‐added products using biocatalysts. These methods merge the specificity and selectivity of biocatalysis and energy‐related electrocatalysis to address challenges in the sustainable synthesis of pharmaceuticals, commodity chemicals, fuels, feedstocks and fertilizers. However, the specialized experimental setups and domain knowledge for bioelectrocatalysis pose a significant barrier to adoption. This review introduces key concepts of bioelectrosynthetic systems. We provide a tutorial on the methods of biocatalyst utilization, the setup of bioelectrosynthetic cells, and the analytical methods for assessing bioelectrocatalysts. Key applications of bioelectrosynthesis in ammonia production and small‐molecule synthesis are outlined for both enzymatic and microbial systems. This review serves as a necessary introduction and resource for the non‐specialist interested in bioelectrosynthetic research.

Wisdom A. Munzeiwa, Palema Tsekoa, La Rochell D. Kammies et al.

Discover Water • 2025

Biochar is a largely amorphous porous material derived from the pyrolysis of biomass under limited oxygen conditions. It has been applied in water treatment, odor removal, and soil conditioning. The properties and subsequent application of biochar depend on the feedstock and synthesis method, so that selection of feedstock and control of synthesis parameters plays an important role in the subsequent applications. Methods such as batch or continuous methods have been used for synthesis, resulting in materials with a range of properties. Owing to various surface functional groups, porosity, and a high surface area, biochar has the capacity to immobilize a wide range of pollutants in environmental media. Biochar also improves the pH and textural properties of soil, promotes carbon sequestration, and reduces the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Textural properties and surface functional groups can be manipulated to enhance sorption capacities for specific pollutants. Although biochar has been extensively studied, data on the influence of feedstock on its properties are limited. Besides, the use of in-silico-computational modelling in the synthesis and characterization of biochar is only emerging. This review aims to: (1) evaluate the influence of feedstock on biochar properties, (2) correlate synthesis approaches to properties and applications, and (3) evaluate in-silico-computational modelling strategies for biochar synthesis. The need for advanced characterization techniques together with development of systematic production methods to increase reproducibility of data was highlighted. Future research directions towards the development of innovative biochar-based materials were suggested. Overall, this information can ignite interests in biochar related research and increase the uptake of biochar for large-scale applications in an environmentally sustainable way. While in developed countries research on biochar can be carried out with relative ease, in developing countries the shortage of equipment could limit research on biochar and its wider uptake.

Daniel Apath, Mambo Moyo, Munyaradzi Shumba

Journal of Chemistry • 2020

In the present study, electrochemical behavior of nevirapine on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with TiO 2 nanoparticles decorated graphene nanoribbons was investigated. Characterization of different components used for modifications was achieved using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical behavior of nevirapine on the modified electrodes was examined using cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), chronoamperometry (CA), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). A considerable oxidation potential decrease of +352 mV for nevirapine in 0.1 M phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), pH 11.0, was achieved due to synergy offered by graphene nanoribbons and TiO 2 compared to graphene nanoribbons (+252 mV) and TiO 2 (−37 mV), all with respect to the glassy carbon electrode. Under optimized conditions, DPV gave linear calibrations over the range of 0.020–0.14 µ M. The detection limit was calculated as 0.043 µ M. The developed sensor was used for determination of nevirapine in a pharmaceutical formulation successfully.

Yashar Bashirzadeh, Venkat Maruthamuthu, Shizhi Qian

Micromachines • 2016

Fabrication of microchannels and associated electrodes to generate electrokinetic phenomena often involves costly materials and considerable effort. In this study, we used graphite pencil-leads as low cost, disposable 3D electrodes to investigate various electrokinetic phenomena in straight cylindrical microchannels, which were themselves fabricated by using a graphite rod as the microchannel mold. Individual pencil-leads were employed as the micro-electrodes arranged along the side walls of the microchannel. Efficient electrokinetic phenomena provided by the 3D electrodes, including alternating current electroosmosis (ACEO), induced-charge electroosmosis (ICEO), and dielectrophoresis (DEP), were demonstrated by the introduced pencil-lead based microfluidic devices. The electrokinetic phenomena were characterized by micro-particle image velocimetry (micro-PIV) measurements and microscopy imaging. Highly efficient electrokinetic phenomena using 3D pencil-lead electrodes showed the affordability and ease of this technique to fabricate microfluidic devices embedded with electrodes for electrokinetic fluid and particle manipulations.

Ameer A. Jebur, William Atherton, Rafid M. Al Khaddar et al.

Measurement • 2019

Manuel Vázquez-Nambo, José-Antonio Gutiérrez-Gnecchi, Enrique Reyes‐Archundia et al.

Applied Sciences • 2020

The physicochemical characterization of pharmaceutical materials is essential for drug discovery, development and evaluation, and for understanding and predicting their interaction with physiological systems. Amongst many measurement techniques for spectroscopic characterization of pharmaceutical materials, Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) is powerful as it can be used to model the electrical properties of pure substances and compounds in correlation with specific chemical composition. In particular, the accurate measurement of specific properties of drugs is important for evaluating physiological interaction. The electrochemical modelling of compounds is usually carried out using spectral impedance data over a wide frequency range, to fit a predetermined model of an equivalent electrochemical cell. This paper presents experimental results by EIS analysis of four drug formulations (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole C14H18N4O3-C10H11N3O3, ambroxol C13H18Br2N2O.HCl, metamizole sodium C13H16N3NaO4S, and ranitidine C13H22N4O3S.HCl). A wide frequency range from 20 Hz to 30 MHz is used to evaluate system identification techniques using EIS data and to obtain process models. The results suggest that arrays of linear R-C models derived using system identification techniques in the frequency domain can be used to identify different compounds.

Dario Pelosi, Linda Barelli, Nicolò Montegiove et al.

Energies • 2022

Enzymatic Biofuel Cell (EBC) represents a promising green source since it is capable of harvesting electricity from renewable and abundantly available biofuels using enzymes as catalysts. Nevertheless, nowadays long-term stability and low power output are currently the main concerns. To this end, several research studies focus on using complex tridimensional and highly expensive nanostructures as electrode support for enzymes. This increases cell performance whilst drastically reducing the economic feasibility needed for industrial viability. Thus, this paper analyzes a novel flow-based EBC consisting of covalent immobilized GOx (bioanode) and Laccase (biocathode) on a commercial flat conductive polymer. A suitable immobilization technique based on covalent ligands is carried out to enhance EBC durability. The experimental characterization demonstrates that the cell generates power over three weeks, reaching 590 mV and 2.41 µW cm−2 as maximum open circuit voltage and power density, respectively. The most significant contributions of this configuration are definitely ease of implementation, low cost, high scalability, and reproducibility. Therefore, such a design can be considered a step forward in the viable EBC industrialization process for a wide range of applications.

Amira Alazmi, Charles Tai‐Chieh Wan, Pedro M. F. J. Costa et al.

Journal of Energy Storage • 2022

Djamel Ghernaout

OALib • 2020

Electrocoagulation (EC) is a very efficient process in dealing with effluent streams and separating complicated contaminants prior to the discharge of the treated water. Attention to such a technique augmented thanks to its large set of utilizations, zero-or minimal-chemical dosing demands, low waste formation, and low price. EC appears as an efficacious option to traditional water treatment techniques for the separation of a large collection of contaminants. This work examines the theories of the EC method and its application for the separation of contaminants from wastewater streams. Such a technique depends on the integration of electrochemical and coagulation methods. Basic parameters that touch the effectiveness comprise the electrode material (Fe or Al), current density, the electrical charge per unit volume, and solution pH. Electrode fouling could constitute a hard running dare even if it could be reduced by the alternating current operation. Next studies have to follow the routes of the EC technique for numerous kinds of pollutants at a set of working parameters, in particular for continuous mode, and the expansion of convenient models that could be utilized for scale-up and techno-economic evaluation of EC is required. Running as a destabilization agent and aiding to separate contaminants from the wastewater, the electric field should attract more attention to highlight its key contribution.

E.L. Forner, Josune J. Ezenarro, Marta Pérez-Montero et al.

Talanta • 2023

Estelle Lebègue, Nazua L. Costa, Bruno M. Fonseca et al.

Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry • 2019

Naixu Hu, Yufeng Cui, Chansoo Choi

Trends in Diabetes and Metabolism • 2019

The aim of this study is to develop a recovery system of platinum group metals (PGMs), such as palladium, platinum, and rhodium from wastewaters that contain [PdCl 4 ] 2-, [PtCl 6 ] 2-or [RhCl 6-n (H 2 O) 6 ] n-3 ions. A built-in electromotive force from a microbial fuel cell (MFC) was utilized for recovering the PGMs from its cathode chamber under the biofilm-coated anode. After 40 hours of reaction, the obtained Pd, Pt and Rh recovery efficiencies from MFC cathodes with an initial concentration of 200 ppm were 99.2%, 99.5%, and 98.7%, respectively. The highest maximum power density of 7.03 W/m 2 with a fill factor of 0.638 was achieved at 1000 ppm Pd 2+ catholyte concentration under the experimental range. Using an initial catholyte concentration of 500 ppm for comparison, the maximum power density that was achieved was 4.22 W/m 2 for [PdCl 4 ] 2-, 5.04 W/m 2 for [PtCl 6 ] 2-, and 2.44 W/m 2 for [RhCl 6-n (H 2 O) 6 ] n-3 , respectively. Finally, the electrical energy generation rate was obtained from discharging curves and remaining concentration data in the order of Pd-MFC (39.2 Wh/kg) > Rh-MFC (35.1 Wh/kg) > Pt-MFC (17.2 Wh/kg). The metals recovered on the electrode surface were found to be pure based on the SEM micrographs and EDS analysis.

Chalermpol Innuphat, Pipat Chooto

ScienceAsia • 2017

A boron-doped diamond electrode modified by 0.5 mM 4-aminomethyl benzoic acid was used for electrochemical determination of Cd 2+ in tap water samples by anodic stripping voltammetry. This method is based on the electrochemical reduction of 4-aminomethyl benzoic acid on the electrode followed by the determination of Cd 2+ with a single well-defined reduction peak at -0.72 V versus Ag/AgCl in acetate buffer solutions at pH 6.0. Optimal conditions were established with respect to electrode pretreatment, time accumulation, potential accumulation, scan rate, and pH. Accurate (r 2 = 0.9989, n = 6) calibration curves were obtained for Cd 2+ concentrations ranging between 2 ppb and 50 ppb. Other dissolved metals (Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu, Al, Co, Pb, and Ni) have no interference on the Cd 2+ calibration curves. The achieved detection limit was 0.2 ppb. High accuracy and reproducibility of the results as well as excellent stability of the electrode material proves superb capabilities of this Cd 2+ detection system. Recovery in the range of 97-102% further confirmed the usefulness of the proposed method to analyse Cd 2+ in tap water samples. The results with SRM1640 were in good agreement with those by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry.

Sumera Khizar, Nadia Zine, Nicole Jaffrézic‐Renault et al.

TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry • 2022

Pedro Mesquita, Liyuan Gong, Yang Lin

Frontiers in Lab on a Chip Technologies • 2022

Effective environmental monitoring has become a worldwide concern, requiring the development of novel tools to deal with pollution risks and manage natural resources. However, a majority of current assessment methods are still costly and labor-intensive. Thanks to the rapid advancements in microfluidic technology over the past few decades, great efforts have been made to develop miniaturized tools for rapid and efficient environmental monitoring. Compared to traditional large-scale devices, microfluidic approaches provide several advantages such as low sample and energy consumption, shortened analysis time and adaptabilities to onsite applications. More importantly, it provides a low-cost solution for onsite environmental assessment leveraging the ubiquitous materials such as paper and plastics, and cost-effective fabrication methods such as inkjet printing and drawing. At present, devices that are disposable, reproducible, and capable of mass production have been developed and manufactured for a wide spectrum of applications related to environmental monitoring. This review summarizes the recent advances of low-cost microfluidics in the field of environmental monitoring. Initially, common low-cost materials and fabrication technologies are introduced, providing a perspective on the currently available low-cost microfluidic manufacturing techniques. The latest applications towards effective environmental monitoring and assessment in water quality, air quality, soil nutrients, microorganisms, and other applications are then reviewed. Finally, current challenges on materials and fabrication technologies and research opportunities are discussed to inspire future innovations.

Arpita Paul Chowdhury, K.S. Anantharaju, K. Keshavamurthy et al.

Journal of Chemistry • 2023

In recent decades, the textile industry has contributed to continuous pollution in the environment. Synthetic dyes which are commonly found in waste water are azo, sulfur, anthraquinone, triphenylmethyl, indigoid, and phthalocyanine derivatives. These pollutants block the light penetration in water bodies and prevent photosynthesis activity, thereby affecting aquatic life. As an environmental crisis, several technologies have been explored to control pollution. Among all the techniques, the photocatalysis process is considered as a green, simple, and economical process. To improve the photocatalytic activity, researchers worldwide have investigated various photocatalysts such as metal oxides, metal ferrites, and heterostructured nanocomposites. The major goal of this review article is to propose a high-performing, cost-effective hybrid photocatalyst reported to date for prospective azo dye pollutant remediation. This review article also aimed to highlight the challenges and uncertainties associated with dye degradation in the photocatalytic process.

Achraf Blout, Jérôme Pulpytel, Shinsuke Mori et al.

Applied Surface Science • 2021

Anirban Goutam Mukherjee, Kaviyarasi Renu, Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan et al.

Sustainability • 2023

Heavy metal and metalloid poisoning in the environment and food has piqued the public’s interest since it poses significant hazards to the ecological system and human health. In food, several metals, including cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), tin (Sn), manganese (Mn), and aluminium (Al), and metalloids, including arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), and selenium (Se), pose a severe threat to human health. It is of utmost importance to detect even minute quantities of these toxic elements and this must be efficiently determined to understand their risk. Several traditional and advanced technologies, including atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), spectrofluorimetry, inductively coupled plasma spectrometry, e-tongues, electrochemical aptasensors, Raman spectroscopy, and fluorescence sensors, among other techniques, have proven highly beneficial in quantifying even the minute concentrations of heavy metals and metalloids in food and dietary supplements. Hence, this review aims to understand the toxicity of these metals and metalloids in food and to shed light on the emerging technologies for their detection.

Elisabetta Petri, Eva-Maria Heigl, Andrea Fasolini et al.

Carbon • 2024

Carbons derived from pyrolysis and activation of waste biomass are attracting much attention as components of energy technologies, such as batteries, supercapacitors and fuel cells. This experimental study focuses on the production of a high-surface-area biochar obtained from the treatment of lignin-rich waste of a biodigester plant, by applying KHCO3 as an activating agent. The pyrolysis-activation conditions were set by following the process by thermogravimetric analysis and by checking the purity and porosity of the resulting carbon by several analytical techniques. The best pyrolysis condition provided a microporous carbon featuring up to 1840 m2 g-1, which was demonstrated at a 25 g biodigestate batch-scale. Moreover, the production process was critically analysed by means of life cycle assessment to identify environmental hotspots and thus derive recommendations for process optimization. The impact of substance and energy-recovery and the use of renewable energy sources on the sustainability of the product was demonstrated in several scenarios, complemented by benchmarking and an outlook regarding further optimization needs. In the best case scenario, the global warming potential of the proposed biochar could be reduced to 15.9 kg CO2-eq per kg of LAC. The activating agent KHCO3 was dominant in almost all environmental impact categories, hence, a theoretical recovery process for this substance was suggested and evaluated via life cycle assessment.

M. Maas, W.J. Perold, Leon M. T. Dicks

Water SA • 2017

The supply of safe potable water, free from pathogens and chemicals, requires routine analyses and the application of several diagnostic techniques. Apart from being expensive, many of the detection methods require trained personnel and are often time-consuming. With drastic climate changes, severe droughts, increases in population and pollution of natural water systems, the need to develop ultrasensitive, low-cost and hand-held, point-of-use detection kits to monitor water quality is critical. Although Escherichia coli is still considered the best indicator of water quality, cell numbers may be below detection limits, or the cells may be non-culturable and thus only detected by DNA amplification. A number of different biosensors have been developed to detect viable, dead or non-culturable microbial cells and chemicals in water. This review discusses the differences in these biosensors and evaluates the application of microfluidics in the design of ultra-sensitive nano-biosensors.Keywords: Biosensors, microfluidics, nano-biosensors, E. coli detection

Christopher Ikechukwu Ekeocha, Bede Ikenna Onyeachu, Ini‐Ibehe Nabuk Etim et al.

African Scientific Reports • 2023

Over the years, issues relating to corrosion have been a serious challenge confronting effective scientific and engineering applications of metallic materials in the industry. Annual loss due to corrosion issues has been quite alarming as it runs into trillions of dollars. In this review, forms of corrosion, factors affecting each form, mechanism of formation, and different aggressive environments that propagate corrosion have been identified. Mitigation techniques against this threat were all discussed, especially those involving the use of eco-friendly, cheap, available, and non-toxic materials. It was observed that the principle, process, and conditions governing each form of corrosion must be well understood before it can be effectively mitigated. This can be done either by proper material selection and design, environmental measures, modification and engineering design, modification of corrosive media, use of inhibitors, or sacrificial and protective coatings. However, adequate knowledge of the environment and nature of metal to be deployed in such an environment is essential in ensuring such material's protection, safety, and durability. For efficient and effective corrosion prevention and control, these mitigation techniques can either be implored exclusively or collectively depending on the material's nature and the setting in which it will be used.

Van‐Toan Nguyen, Kanghee Cho, Yu‐Jin Choi et al.

Biochar • 2024

Abstract Over the last decade, there has been significant effort dedicated to both fundamental research and practical applications of biomass-derived materials, including electrocatalytic energy conversion and various functional energy storage devices. Beyond their sustainability, eco-friendliness, structural diversity, and biodegradability, biomass-derived materials provide additional benefits, including naturally organized hierarchical structures, rich surface properties, and an abundance of heteroatoms. These characteristics make them appealing candidates for effective energy storage and electrocatalytic energy conversion applications. This review explores the recent advancements in biomass-derived materials for energy storage system (ESS), including supercapacitors and electrocatalytic reactions. We also address the scientific and technical hurdles associated with these materials and outline potential avenues for future research on biomass-based energy conversion applications. By emphasizing the significance of controllable structural designs and modifications, we highlight their crucial roles in advancing this field. Graphical Abstract

Zh.I. Bespalova, А. В. Храменкова

Nanosystems Physics Chemistry Mathematics • 2016

The available experimental material relating to the patterns of formation and properties of functional nanostructured transition metal oxide (Mo, Co, Mn, Ni, Fe, V) composite materials is reviewed. Advanced coatings are considered those whose formation method are simple and do not require high energy costs, expensive equipment and permit the creation of materials with desired physical and chemical properties in a specified manner. In this review, the priority of oxide composite nanostructured materials technology is given to a transient electrolysis method based on the analysis of a data set that demonstrates its advantages. The results are presented for a number of studies aimed at identifying and analyzing the nature and regularities of processes that take place when obtaining oxide composite nanostructured materials using transient electrolysis methods.

Jussara Câmara Cardozo, Djalma Ribeiro da Silva, Carlos A. Martínez‐Huitle et al.

Materials • 2022

In this study, for the first time, the production of green hydrogen gas (H 2 ) in the cathodic compartment, in concomitance with the electrochemical oxidation (EO) of an aqueous solution containing Calcon dye at the anodic compartment, was studied in a PEM-type electrochemical cell driven by a photovoltaic (PV) energy source. EO of Calcon was carried out on a Nb/BDD anode at different current densities (7.5, 15 and 30 mA cm -2 ), while a stainless steel (SS) cathode was used for green H 2 production. The results of the analysis by UV-vis spectroscopy and total organic carbon (TOC) clearly showed that the electrochemical oxidation (EO) of the Calcon dye after 180 min of electrolysis time by applying 30 mA cm -2 reached up to 90% of degradation and 57% of TOC removal. Meanwhile, under these experimental conditions, a green H 2 production greater than 0.9 L was achieved, with a Faradaic efficiency of 98%. The hybrid electrolysis strategy is particularly attractive in the context of a circular economy, as these can be coupled with the use of more complex water matrices to transform organic depollution into an energy resource to produce H 2 as a chemical energy carrier.

Vikram Narayanan Dhamu, Anil Somenahally, Anirban Paul et al.

Sensors • 2024

Soil is a vital component of the ecosystem that drives the holistic homeostasis of the environment. Directly, soil quality and health by means of sufficient levels of soil nutrients are required for sustainable agricultural practices for ideal crop yield. Among these groups of nutrients, soil carbon is a factor which has a dominating effect on greenhouse carbon phenomena and thereby the climate change rate and its influence on the planet. It influences the fertility of soil and other conditions like enriched nutrient cycling and water retention that forms the basis for modern 'regenerative agriculture'. Implementation of soil sensors would be fundamentally beneficial to characterize the soil parameters in a local as well as global environmental impact standpoint, and electrochemistry as a transduction mode is very apt due to its feasibility and ease of applicability. Organic Matter present in soil (SOM) changes the electroanalytical behavior of moieties present that are carbon-derived. Hence, an electrochemical-based 'bottom-up' approach is evaluated in this study to track soil organic carbon (SOC). As part of this setup, soil as a solid-phase electrolyte as in a standard electrochemical cell and electrode probes functionalized with correlated ionic species on top of the metalized electrodes are utilized. The surficial interface is biased using a square pulsed charge, thereby studying the effect of the polar current as a function of the SOC profile. The sensor formulation composite used is such that materials have higher capacity to interact with organic carbon pools in soil. The proposed sensor platform is then compared against the standard combustion method for SOC analysis and its merit is evaluated as a potential in situ, on-demand electrochemical soil analysis platform.

Imran Ali, Saeid Amiri, Nehar Ullah et al.

PLoS ONE • 2020

In this study, an enzymatic pathway has been developed to replicate the Calvin Cycle by creating the individual steps of the carbon cycle in a bioreactor. The technology known as "artificial photosynthesis" converts CO2 emissions into a variety of intermediates that serve as precursors to high-value products. CO2, light, water, and electricity were used as feedstock. An electrochemical reactor was also studied for the regeneration of active NADH operating at constant electrode potential. Initially, a batch electrochemical reactor containing 80 mL of 0.2 mM NAD+ in Tris-buffer (pH 7.40) was used to evaluate the electrode material operating at normal temperature and pressure. The results showed that the cathode is highly electrocatalytically efficient and selective to regenerate 97.45±0.8% of NADH from NAD+ at electrode potential of -2.3 V vs. mercury standard electrode (MSE). The NADH regeneration system was then integrated with ATP regeneration system and bioreactor containing Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO). NADH was regenerated successfully during the process electrochemically and then was used by the enzymatic reaction to produce triose phosphate and 3-Phosphoglycerate (3GPA).