Search

Conventionally, a single Temperature Polarisation Coefficient (TPC) value is calculated to quantify Temperature Polarisation (TP). In this research, the extent of polarisation is investigated by capturing temperature profiles at specific points along a MD membrane using miniature thermocouples, eliminating the need for TPC calculations. The extent of polarisation at a point is affected by two contributory factors, namely the proximity of flow inlets and the difference in vapour pressure across the membrane at that point. Under this direction, this work examined the influence of permeate temperature, feed salinity, and flow direction on the development of the temperature profiles. Our analysis revealed an elevation in TP on both sides of the membrane when the permeate temperature was increased. In addition, changes in feed salinity had a very minute impact on the development of the temperature profiles. By comparing the cocurrent and counter-current flow, the influence of the two contributory factors was further proved, with counter-current flow working better for long membrane modules. Furthermore, an investigation on the symmetricity of polarisation across the membrane revealed asymmetricity depends on the operating conditions, especially direction of flow. The asymmetricity was infinitesimal at low inlet temperature differences for cocurrent flow.

The present study describes a novel double-modified strategy for developing high-performance thin-film composite reverse osmosis (TFC-RO) membranes by incorporating titanium-based metal organic frameworks (NH2-MIL-125) and functionalised multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into the support layer and selective layer, respectively. Initially, the support layer was subjected to successive modifications using NH2-MIL-125 mixed with polysulfone (PSF) in dimethylformamide DMF solution to investigate their impact on the performance and properties of the support layer and resultant TFC-RO membranes. Results indicated that the new structure of the modified support layer had significant influences on the developed TFC-RO membranes. Notably, the pristine PSF support exhibited a large surface pore size, medium porosity, and strong hydrophobicity, resulting in a low-flux TFC-RO membrane. However, after modification with NH2-MIL-125, the optimal blend support demonstrated a small surface pore size, high porosity, and improved hydrophilicity, favouring the formation of a high performance TFC-RO membrane. The incorporation of functionalised MWCNTs nanochannels into the selective layer, using the optimal NH2-MIL-125-PSF blended support, resulted in a smoother and more hydrophilic TFC-RO membrane with enhanced negative charge to improve antifouling properties against negative foulants (i.e., nanoplastics (NPs) and bovine serum albumin (BSA)). The double-modified membrane (TFC-RO-DM) exhibited superior performance over the conventional PSF-TFC-RO membrane. Notably, the maximum water flux reached 39 L m−2.h−1 with 98.4% NaCl rejection. The membrane exhibited a high flux recovery rate of 92% following a 30-min physical cleaning process. Additionally, the TFC-RO-DM membrane displayed reduced fouling against NPs suggesting the great promise of this innovative double-modification approach for the advancement of high-performance TFC-RO membranes.

Water treatment and disinfection are critical factors in ensuring a safe and sustainable water supply. Phthalocyanines (Pcs), a class of versatile and robust organic compounds, have garnered significant attention for their application in various water treatment processes. This review paper offers a groundbreaking investigation of Pc-enabled technologies within the domain of water treatment applications. The core aim of this review is to meticulously analyze the chemical and optical properties of Pcs, elucidate their photosensitization mechanism and establish the crucial connection between their chemical structure and photodynamic efficacy. The various modes of Pcs application in water treatment processes - whether in solution, immobilized, or integrated into water treatment membranes - emphasizing the strategies for their integration and effectiveness in disinfection and decontamination has also been extensively investigated. Moreover, it sheds light on the latest advancements and challenges in the field, providing valuable insights into future research for employing Pcs in environmentally sustainable water treatment methods.

This study explores the physicochemical characteristics of an innovative mixed matrix membrane made from polyethersulfone (PES) and hollow Zein nanoparticles (HZNs), which are derived from the corn storage protein, Zein. HZNs, with a mean diameter of 40 nm, were applied to address the challenges associated with metal and inorganic nanoparticles, such as their tendency to accumulate unevenly on the membrane surface. The membranes were fabricated by incorporating varying concentrations of HZNs into the PES casting solution through the nonsolvent phase separation method. The addition of HZNs enhanced the hydrophilicity and pure water flux of the membranes. It also modified the membrane structure, morphology, pore size, molecular weight cut-off (MWCO), and porosity. Increasing the HZN concentration up to 5 wt% proportionally improved the surface hydrophilicity and roughness of the membranes. Furthermore, the modified membranes exhibited excellent performance in rejecting heavy metals at an acidic pH of 4, with the 5 %-HZNs/PES membrane achieving a 100 % rejection rate without significantly affecting water flux due to Donnan exclusion. Additionally, the 5 %-HZNs/PES membrane showed a minimal irreversible fouling resistance (Rir) of 17.9 % and a fouling resistance ratio (FRR) of 82.1 %. These results indicate that the developed mixed matrix membrane holds significant promise for applications in water purification processes.

The recent advancements in fabricating forward osmosis (FO) membranes have shown promising results in desalination and water treatment. Different methods have been applied to improve FO performance, such as using mixed or new draw solutions, enhancing the recovery of draw solutions, membrane modification, and developing FO-hybrid systems. However, reliable methods to address the current issues, including reverse salt flux, fouling, and antibacterial activities, are still in progress. In recent decades, surface modification has been applied to different membrane processes, including FO membranes. Introducing nanochannels, bioparticles, new monomers, and hydrophilic-based materials to the surface layer of FO membranes has significantly impacted their performance and efficiency and resulted in better control over fouling and concentration polarization (CP) in these membranes. This review critically investigates the recent developments in FO membrane processes and fabrication techniques for FO surface-layer modification. In addition, this study focuses on the latest materials and structures used for the surface modification of FO membranes. Finally, the current challenges, gaps, and suggestions for future studies in this field have been discussed in detail.

Forward osmosis (FO) membranes have potential for the efficient water and wastewater treatment applications. However, their development has faced significant challenges due to their fouling propensity. In this study, FO membranes modified with sulfobetaine zwitterions (i.e., [2-(Methacryloyloxy)ethyl]dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl) ammonium hydroxide) were fabricated and used for the first time to address microplastic (MP) fouling issue. Water flux, reverse salt flux (RSF), fouling, and flux recovery were evaluated for the membranes loaded with different quantities of the zwitterions ranging from 0.25 % to 2 %. The developed membranes were tested over 49 h with feed solutions containing polyethylene MPs and bovine serum albumin (BSA) to evaluate their fouling resistance. The synergistic effects of the two foulants indicated that the MPs were the primary cause of fouling. The presence of BSA effectively reduced the blocking effect of MPs and therefore lowers overall fouling. Additionally, improved water flux, structural parameter (S), and RSF were reported for the modified membranes. The zwitterion's unique structure with hydrophilic groups (C[dbnd]O and O[dbnd]S[dbnd]O) resulted in high flux recovery rates of over 90 % for all modified membranes within only 30 min of physical cleaning upon fouling tests. The results demonstrate the high potential of the modification method for targeting the removal of MPs in TFC-based membranes.

Solar-driven direct contact membrane distillation systems (DCMD) are disadvantaged by low freshwater productivity and low gain-output-ratio (GOR). Consequently, this study aims to achieve two primary objectives: i) improving the solar DCMD performance, and ii) harnessing machine learning models for precise and straightforward modeling of the solar DCMD system. To achieve these goals, a novel solar DCMD system powered with oil-filled heat pipe evacuated tube collectors (HP-ETCs) and equipped with an air-cooled condenser was used for the first time. The system was evaluated under eight different scenarios covering both its energy and economic performances. The performance prediction of three different machine learning models including ANN, SVR and RF was assessed for the proposed system. The results showed that integrating an air-cooled condenser and oil-filled HP-ETCs into the solar DCMD system significantly improved the performance and reduced freshwater cost, resulting in: a 35.39–37 % increase in freshwater productivity; a 30.64–31.57 % enhancement in GOR; a 35–38 % rise in daily efficiency; and a 20 % decrease in freshwater cost. The results demonstrate that ANN and SVR have excellent performance for modeling the solar-driven DCMD system, achieving MAPEtest values of approximately 1 % and 4 % for predicting permeate flux and GOR, respectively.

H2 is increasingly regarded as a decarbonized solution for the increasing energy demand. However, due to its low density, H2 cannot be easily compressed, and there is a need for materials that can store large amounts of H2. Here we tested H2 adsorption capacity of micro-polyethylene (MicroPE) – a significant environmental pollutant - at 1–70 bar and 30 °C. H2 adsorption capacity increased with increasing the adsorption pressure (from 0.06 mol/kg at 17.21 bar to 0.20 mol/kg at 68.11 bar for raw MicroPE). MicroPE activated with aqueous NaOH significantly changed H2 adsorption under the same operating conditions. H2 adsorption increased to 0.50 mol/kg at 68.11 bar when MicroPE was treated with 0.002 mol/L aqueous NaOH. We conclude that MicroPE is a feasible material to store H2, competitive to other storage materials in in terms of the availability, cost-effective, environmental pollution mitigation and slightly higher H2 adsorption rates under the condition studied. This work provides fundamental information, and thus aids in the reduction of environmental microplastic pollution, while further enabling a green energy transition.

This paper investigates the effects of various types of announcements made by lithium producers on stock prices. We collected data from 40 lithium-producing companies listed on the world's largest stock exchanges, spanning from May 2020 to September 2022. To analyze the impact of announcements such as quoted and unquoted securities, market announcements, company reports, public meetings and presentations, financial announcements, and technical announcements on stock prices, we employed an extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) model. Our results indicate that stock exchange market announcements and announcements about public meetings and presentations significantly influenced the stock prices of all eight large-cap companies studied. Announcements about public meetings and presentations were crucial predictors of stock prices for 73% of all companies analyzed. Additionally, positive financial announcements were key predictors for 70% of the companies. These findings suggest that investors should consider these predictors when making investment decisions in the lithium-related stock market. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence on the impact of different types of announcements made by lithium producers on stock prices. Furthermore, the XGBoost model used in this study can be applied to other industries and markets to analyze the impact of various types of announcements on stock prices.

The development of biodegradable active packaging films with hydrophobic characteristics is vital for extending the shelf life of food and reducing the reliance on petroleum-based plastics. In this study, novel hydrophobic cerium-based metal-organic framework (Ce-MOF) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized. The Ce-MOF nanoparticles were then incorporated into the cassava starch matrix at varying concentrations (0.5 %, 1.5 %, 3 %, and 4 % w/w of total solid) to fabricate cassava-based active packaging films via the solution casting technique. The influence of Ce-MOF on the morphology, thermal attributes, and physicochemical properties of the cassava film was subsequently determined through further analyses. Biomedical analysis including antioxidant activity and the cellular morphology evaluation in the presence of the films was also conducted. The results demonstrated that the consistent dispersion of Ce-MOF nanofillers within the cassava matrix led to a significant enhancement in the film's crystallinity, thermal stability, antioxidant activity, biocompatibility, and hydrophobicity. The introduction of Ce-MOF also contributed to the film's reduced water solubility. Considering these outcomes, the developed cassava/Ce-MOF films undoubtedly have significant potential for active food packaging applications.

Much of the research in the analysis of Temperature polarisation (TP) and the productivity of a membrane distillation (MD) system tends to concentrate on operational conditions. However, substantial enhancements in permeate flux can be realised through the incorporation of fundamental design modifications. This research showed that TP can be successfully mitigated almost to a level of non-existence, by manipulating the module orientation and flow channel height of an in-house designed direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) system. Notably, at higher flow channel heights, changing the module orientation from the default horizontal position with the feed side on top (FST) to a sideway orientation led to a remarkable 90% increase in the permeate flux of the DCMD module. Permeate side on top (PST) and sideways orientations performed significantly better than FST for larger channel heights, while at low channel heights, the improvement was slight. Temperature measurements proved that thermal convective currents and secondary flows played a vital role in assisting or opposing TP and cannot be disregarded when investigating the hydrodynamics of a DCMD system. The impact of flow directions was insignificant with different channel heights, while the proximity of the flow inlets played a pivotal role in shaping the temperature profiles along the membrane.

Widespread contamination by heavy metals (HMs) and dyes poses a major health risk to people and ecosystems requiring effective treatment. In this work, rice husk (RH) and shrimp shells were extracted to obtain amorphous silica and chitosan, respectively, which were utilized to produce nano-chitosan-coated silica (NCCS). To ensure the stability of the nanoparticles, silica was freeze-dried after being coated with nano-chitosan. Functional groups (–NH2, –OH, P]O) from chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) were introduced to the surface of silica during this process. Dyes such as brilliant green (BG), methylene blue (MB) and reactive brown (RB) as well as HMs (Cr6+, Pb2+, Cd2+, Ni2+) were removed by adsorbents. CNPs showed the highest adsorption capacity for RB (59.52 mg/g) among dyes and Cr6+ (42.55 mg/g) among HMs. CNPs showed the highest adsorption capacity for HMs among different adsorbents. Although NCCS and CNPs showed similar adsorption capabilities for HMs and dyes, NCCS showed the best stability. The adsorption performance decreased as RB > Cr6+ > MB > BG > Pb2+ > Cd2+ > Ni2+. The adsorption reactions followed both pseudo-first-order and second-order kinetics, and was spontaneous from thermodynamic analysis. In summary, the waste-derived adsorbents demonstrated excellent potential for removing HMs and dyes from water, while supporting effective management solid waste.

Given the potential hazards of microplastics (MPs), it is desirable to efficiently remove them during wastewater treatment processes. To this end, ultrafiltration (UF) membranes can significantly increase the removal of MPs, however the fouling of such membrane modules can also be impacted by the presence of MPs. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was used here to non-invasively quantify the effect of polyethylene (PE) MPs accumulation in a 3D UF hollow fiber (HF) membrane module containing 400 fibers, via direct non-invasive velocity imaging of the flow distribution between individual fibers during module operation. The co-effect of MPs and alginate (a common organic model foulant mimicking extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)) on fouling of the HF module was then explored. Flow was initially equally distributed with fouling causing flow in particular fibers to be significantly reduced. Fouling with MPs resulted in minimal flow distribution disruption and was easily remediated hydraulically, in contrast alginate fouling required chemical cleaning in order to fully restore homogeneous flow distribution between the fibers. The presence of both MPs and alginate resulted in a more heterogeneous disruption of the fibre flow distribution due to fouling and resulted in much more effective hydraulic cleaning of the module.

Accurate modeling of solar-driven direct contact membrane distillation systems (DCMD) can enhance the commercialization of these promising systems. However, the existing dynamic mathematical models for predicting the performance of these systems are complex and computationally expensive. This is due to the intermittent nature of solar energy and complex heat/mass transfer of different components of solar-driven DCMD systems (solar collectors, MD modules and storage tanks). This study applies a machine learning-based approach to model the dynamic nature of a solar-driven DCMD system for the first time. A small-scale rig was designed and fabricated to experimentally assess the performance of the system over 20 days. The predictive capabilities of two neural network models: multilayer perceptron (MLP) and long short-term memory (LSTM) were then comprehensively examined to predict the permeate flux, efficiency and gain-output-ratio (GOR). The results showed that both models can efficiently predict the dynamic performance of solar-driven DCMD systems, where MLP outperformed the LSTM model overall, especially in the prediction of efficiency. Additionally, it was indicated that the accuracy of the models for the prediction of GOR can be significantly improved by increasing the size of the dataset.

Temperature polarisation (TP) is a major drawback limiting the global acceptance of membrane distillation (MD) technology. TP is typically quantified using a dimensionless index known as Temperature Polarisation Coefficient (TPC). TPC has significant limitations, whereby it cannot be used to compare different MD configurations or design conditions, nor to analyse the TP phenomenon along the membrane. In this research, the temperature profile over and along a lengthy DCMD membrane has been measured under various operational conditions, where its impact on TP has been explored for the first time. A specialised DCMD membrane cell was manufactured to capture temperature profiles, both along and over the membrane surfaces, using miniature thermocouples. The effects of flow rate and feed temperature were investigated on the temperature profiles. The results showed that the extent of TP was not constant along the membrane, and that the temperature profile was not symmetrical across the feed and permeate side, predominantly due to the effects of the inlet and outlet on the flow. The TPC value calculated using the conventional method was not able to accurately reflect the TP phenomenon along the membrane, indicating TPC to be an ineffective tool to study TP along the membrane.

With the gradual increase of microplastics (MPs) in water and wastewater streams, it is imperative to investigate their removal using tertiary treatment systems to minimize and preferably prevent their entrance into aquatic environments. Forward osmosis (FO) is a non-pressurized membrane process with potential applications in MPs removal from wastewater. However, efficient application of FO systems relies on developing high-performance FO membranes with low fouling tendency. MPs are proven as emerging foulants in membrane systems, diminishing their performance and lifetime and this highlights the need to consider MP fouling in developing sustainable membranes. The current study focuses on a novel modification of thin film composite (TFC) FO membranes by MIL-53(Fe) as a water-stable and hydrophilic metal-organic framework. Experimental results demonstrated that the optimized FO membrane (0.2 wt% MIL-53(Fe)) achieved a significantly higher water flux (90% increase) with a 23% less reverse salt flux. The modified membrane also had significantly less flux decline in fouling experiments and higher flux recovery after physical cleaning compared to the control membrane affirming its higher antifouling efficiency. MIL-53(Fe) integration in the FO substrate proved to be a practical method for developing high-performance TFC FO membranes with improved antifouling properties against MPs and organic foulants.

Developing cost-effective, eco-friendly, efficient, stable, and unique catalytic systems remains a crucial issue in catalysis. Due to their superior physicochemical and electrochemical properties, exceptional structural characteristics, environmental friendliness, economic productivity, minimal energy demand, and abundant supply, a significant amount of research has been devoted to the development of various doped carbon materials as efficient catalysts. In addition, carbon-based materials (CBMs) with specified doping have lately become significant members of the carbon group, showing promise for a broad range of uses (e.g., catalysis, environmental remediation, critical chemical production, and energy conversion and storage). This study will, therefore, pay attention to the function of heteroatom-based doped and undoped CBMs for catalytical applications and discuss the underlying chemistries of catalysis. According to the findings, doping CBMs may greatly improve their catalytic activity, and heteroatom-doped CBMs may be a promising option for further metal doping to attach them to an appropriate place. This paper also covers the potential applications of both doped and undoped CBMs in the future.

There are several physical and chemical methods for synthesizing nanomaterials, while the most appropriate techniques involve using green chemistry and eco-friendly material. Recently, green synthesized materials for different applications have gained attention as a result of their environmental friendliness and cost-effectiveness. Applying green synthesized nanoparticles (NPS) in food packaging has been extensively investigated. Biopolymers require filler to enhance the optical, barrier, thermal, antimicrobial, and mechanical properties of packaging. Biopolymer packaging incorporated with green synthesized NPs is expected to simultaneously enhance performance while reducing environmental damage. The current review article focuses on biopolymer films with bio (green)-synthesized nanomaterials and their effectiveness in reducing the negative environmental implications of synthetic packaging. It also covers the general concepts of green synthesis of NPs, their production methods, their performance, and characterization, and discusses the potential, performance and recent developments of bio-nanocomposite films/coatings in biodegradable food packaging. Recent reports and trends provide more insight into the impact of green synthesized nanomaterials on food packaging. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].

Orange peel oil (OPO) is one of the most common flavorings used in the food industry, but it is volatile under environmental conditions (the presence of light, oxygen, humidity, and high temperatures). Encapsulation by biopolymer nanocomposites is a suitable and novel strategy to improve the bioavailability and stability of OPO and its controlled release. In this study, we investigated the release profile of OPO from freeze-dried optimized nanocomposite powders as a function of pH (3, 7, 11) and temperature (30, 60, and 90 °C), and within a simulated salivary system. Finally, its release kinetics modelling was performed using experimental models. The encapsulation efficiency of OPO within the powders, along with the morphology and size of the particles, were also evaluated by an atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis. The results showed that the encapsulation efficiency was in the range of 70–88%, and the nanoscale size of the particles was confirmed by AFM. The release profile showed that the lowest and the highest release rates were observed at the temperatures of 30 and 90 °C and in the pH values of 3 and 11, respectively, for all three samples. The Higuchi model provided the best model fitting of the experimental data for the OPO release of all the samples. In general, the OPO encapsulates prepared in this study showed promising characteristics for food flavoring applications. These results suggest that the encapsulation of OPO may be useful for controlling its flavor release under different conditions and during cooking.

Forward osmosis (FO) has received significant attention recently. FO has high potentials for integration with other water treatment technologies. However, concentration polarization (CP) remains a significant challenge in FO membrane applications. In particular, internal CP (ICP) reduces the permeability of FO membranes by nearly 80%. The development of FO processes and their applications can greatly benefit from strategies that detect and control CP in standalone and integrated FO systems. This requires consideration of FO membrane structures, materials, configurations, operating conditions, and modification and cleaning strategies. This review provides a state-of-the-art analysis of recent literature on CP detection and control with a specific focus on ICP as a major issue in FO processes. This helps to understand current CP mitigation strategies and their challenges and prospects. The first section reviews the structures of different FO membranes and related CP mechanisms. Research on CP and the impacts of various parameters on its magnitude are then discussed, followed by a review of CP phenomena in hybrid FO processes and applied ICP control strategies. Finally, recommendations for future research in CP detection and control are made. This review serves as a valuable reference for future research on FO processes and may contribute to developing more ICP-resistant FO membranes.

Artesunate (ART), an anti-malarial drug, is nowadays used for the treatment of several types of cancers. It is sparingly soluble in water; therefore, it requires the development of a modified formulation of this drug to enhance its water solubility and stability. MIL100(Fe) nanoparticles, a metal-organic framework, were selected as the drug carrier. Purpose: This study aimed to employ MIL-100 (Fe) as a carrier for ART to investigate the release profile of ART and evaluate in vitro its anti-cancer activity. Methods: ART loading was achieved by mixing ART with MIL100(Fe) in the proportion of (1:1) and (1:2) to form ART-1MIL100(Fe) and ART-2MIL100(Fe), respectively. Only ART-2MIL100(Fe) was coated with 0.5% chitosan (CH) to form CH-ART-2MIL100(Fe). Free ART, ART-2MIL100(Fe), and CH-ART-2MIL100(Fe) were evaluated for anti-cancer activity in a human breast cancer cell line. Results: The ART loading capacity was 65% ± 1.3 and 75% ± 2.2 for ART-MIL100(Fe) and ART-2MIL100(Fe), respectively. The release profiles showed 50% ± 2.3 and 63% ± 1.5 of cumulative ART percent release for ART-2MIL100(Fe) and CH-ART-2MIL100(Fe), respectively. Although free ART demonstrated inhibition of cell viability (81%), ART-2MIL100(Fe) and CH-ART-2MIL100(Fe) showed cell inhibition viability of 56 and 51%, respectively. Conclusion: ART loading within MIL100(Fe) was effective and in vitro breast anti-cancer effect was significant.

Forward osmosis (FO) has received significant attention recently. FO has high potentials for integration with other water treatment technologies. However, concentration polarization (CP) remains a significant challenge in FO membrane applications. In particular, internal CP (ICP) reduces the permeability of FO membranes by nearly 80%. The development of FO processes and their applications can greatly benefit from strategies that detect and control CP in standalone and integrated FO systems. This requires consideration of FO membrane structures, materials, configurations, operating conditions, and modification and cleaning strategies. This review provides a state-of-the-art analysis of recent literature on CP detection and control with a specific focus on ICP as a major issue in FO processes. This helps to understand current CP mitigation strategies and their challenges and prospects. The first section reviews the structures of different FO membranes and related CP mechanisms. Research on CP and the impacts of various parameters on its magnitude are then discussed, followed by a review of CP phenomena in hybrid FO processes and applied ICP control strategies. Finally, recommendations for future research in CP detection and control are made. This review serves as a valuable reference for future research on FO processes and may contribute to developing more ICP-resistant FO membranes.

Consumer demands to utilize environmentally friendly packaging have led researchers to develop packaging materials from naturally derived resources. In recent years, plant protein-based films as a replacement for synthetic plastics have attracted the attention of the global food packaging industry due to their biodegradability and unique properties. Biopolymer-based films need a filler to show improved packaging properties. One of the latest strategies introduced to food packaging technology is the production of nanocomposite films which are multiphase materials containing a filler with at least one dimension less than 100 nm. This review provides the recent findings on plant-based protein films as biodegradable materials that can be combined with nanoparticles that are applicable to food packaging. Moreover, it investigates the characterization of nanocomposite plant-based protein films/edible coatings. It also briefly describes the application of plant-based protein nanocomposite films/coating on fruits/vegetables, meat and seafood products, and some other foods. The results indicate that the functional performance, barrier, mechanical, optical, thermal and antimicrobial properties of plant protein-based materials can be extended by incorporating nanomaterials. Recent reports provide a better understanding of how incorporating nanomaterials into plant protein-based biopolymers leads to an increase in the shelf life of food products during storage time.

Recently, the research and innovation to produce raw materials from microbial processes has gained much attention due to their economic and environmental impacts. Lactic acid is a very important microbial product due to its wide application in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and chemical industries. In the current study, poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) was produced by the ring opening polymerization (ROP) technique of L-lactic acid recovered from whey fermentation, and was used for the production of nanocomposites films reinforced with chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) (average diameter ca. 100–200 nm). Three different CNPs concentrations, namely 1, 3, and 5% w/w, were tested, and their influence on the physical, mechanical, thermal, antibacterial and structural attributes of PLLA film was assessed. The results showed that the addition of CNPs up to 3% caused a significant improvement in water vapor permeability, appearance, tensile strength and elongation at break. The antibacterial properties of nanocomposites followed a dose-depended pattern as a result of CNPs addition. Therefore, the best inhibitory effects on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was made by the addition of 5% of CNPs and lower dosages slightly affected the growth of pathogens or didn't cause any inhibitory effects (in 1% of CNPs). It can be concluded that the incorporation of CNPs into the PLLA matrix allows to improve the structural, thermal, physical, mechanical and antibacterial properties of the polymer, generating promising systems for food packaging and biomedical applications.

Recently, the research and innovation to produce raw materials from microbial processes has gained much attention due to their economic and environmental impacts. Lactic acid is a very important microbial product due to its wide application in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and chemical industries. In the current study, poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) was produced by the ring opening polymerization (ROP) technique of L-lactic acid recovered from whey fermentation, and was used for the production of nanocomposites films reinforced with chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) (average diameter ca. 100–200 nm). Three different CNPs concentrations, namely 1, 3, and 5% w/w, were tested, and their influence on the physical, mechanical, thermal, antibacterial and structural attributes of PLLA film was assessed. The results showed that the addition of CNPs up to 3% caused a significant improvement in water vapor permeability, appearance, tensile strength and elongation at break. The antibacterial properties of nanocomposites followed a dose-depended pattern as a result of CNPs addition. Therefore, the best inhibitory effects on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was made by the addition of 5% of CNPs and lower dosages slightly affected the growth of pathogens or didn't cause any inhibitory effects (in 1% of CNPs). It can be concluded that the incorporation of CNPs into the PLLA matrix allows to improve the structural, thermal, physical, mechanical and antibacterial properties of the polymer, generating promising systems for food packaging and biomedical applications.

Forward osmosis (FO) has received significant attention recently. FO has high potentials for integration with other water treatment technologies. However, concentration polarization (CP) remains a significant challenge in FO membrane applications. In particular, internal CP (ICP) reduces the permeability of FO membranes by nearly 80%. The development of FO processes and their applications can greatly benefit from strategies that detect and control CP in standalone and integrated FO systems. This requires consideration of FO membrane structures, materials, configurations, operating conditions, and modification and cleaning strategies. This review provides a state-of-the-art analysis of recent literature on CP detection and control with a specific focus on ICP as a major issue in FO processes. This helps to understand current CP mitigation strategies and their challenges and prospects. The first section reviews the structures of different FO membranes and related CP mechanisms. Research on CP and the impacts of various parameters on its magnitude are then discussed, followed by a review of CP phenomena in hybrid FO processes and applied ICP control strategies. Finally, recommendations for future research in CP detection and control are made. This review serves as a valuable reference for future research on FO processes and may contribute to developing more ICP-resistant FO membranes.

Consumer demands to utilize environmentally friendly packaging have led researchers to develop packaging materials from naturally derived resources. In recent years, plant protein-based films as a replacement for synthetic plastics have attracted the attention of the global food packaging industry due to their biodegradability and unique properties. Biopolymer-based films need a filler to show improved packaging properties. One of the latest strategies introduced to food packaging technology is the production of nanocomposite films which are multiphase materials containing a filler with at least one dimension less than 100 nm. This review provides the recent findings on plant-based protein films as biodegradable materials that can be combined with nanoparticles that are applicable to food packaging. Moreover, it investigates the characterization of nanocomposite plant-based protein films/edible coatings. It also briefly describes the application of plant-based protein nanocomposite films/coating on fruits/vegetables, meat and seafood products, and some other foods. The results indicate that the functional performance, barrier, mechanical, optical, thermal and antimicrobial properties of plant protein-based materials can be extended by incorporating nanomaterials. Recent reports provide a better understanding of how incorporating nanomaterials into plant protein-based biopolymers leads to an increase in the shelf life of food products during storage time.

Artesunate (ART), an anti-malarial drug, is nowadays used for the treatment of several types of cancers. It is sparingly soluble in water; therefore, it requires the development of a modified formulation of this drug to enhance its water solubility and stability. MIL100(Fe) nanoparticles, a metal-organic framework, were selected as the drug carrier. Purpose: This study aimed to employ MIL-100 (Fe) as a carrier for ART to investigate the release profile of ART and evaluate in vitro its anti-cancer activity. Methods: ART loading was achieved by mixing ART with MIL100(Fe) in the proportion of (1:1) and (1:2) to form ART-1MIL100(Fe) and ART-2MIL100(Fe), respectively. Only ART-2MIL100(Fe) was coated with 0.5% chitosan (CH) to form CH-ART-2MIL100(Fe). Free ART, ART-2MIL100(Fe), and CH-ART-2MIL100(Fe) were evaluated for anti-cancer activity in a human breast cancer cell line. Results: The ART loading capacity was 65% ± 1.3 and 75% ± 2.2 for ART-MIL100(Fe) and ART-2MIL100(Fe), respectively. The release profiles showed 50% ± 2.3 and 63% ± 1.5 of cumulative ART percent release for ART-2MIL100(Fe) and CH-ART-2MIL100(Fe), respectively. Although free ART demonstrated inhibition of cell viability (81%), ART-2MIL100(Fe) and CH-ART-2MIL100(Fe) showed cell inhibition viability of 56 and 51%, respectively. Conclusion: ART loading within MIL100(Fe) was effective and in vitro breast anti-cancer effect was significant.

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) was introduced into a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nonwoven fabric to develop novel support for polyamide (PA) thin-film composite (TFC) membranes without using a microporous support layer. First, temperature-responsive PNIPAAm hydrogel was prepared by reactive pore-filling to adjust the pore size of non-woven fabric, creating hydrophilic support. The developed PET-based support was then used to fabricate PA TFC membranes via interfacial polymerization. SEM–EDX and AFM results confirmed the successful fabrication of hydrogel-integrated non-woven fabric and PA TFC membranes. The newly developed PA TFC membrane demonstrated an average water permeability of 1 L/m2 h bar, and an NaCl rejection of 47.0 % at a low operating pressure of 1 bar. The thermo-responsive property of the prepared membrane was studied by measuring the water contact angle (WCA) below and above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the PNIPAAm hydrogel. Results proved the thermo-responsive behavior of the prepared hydrogel-filled PET-supported PA TFC membrane and the ability to tune the membrane flux by changing the operating temperature was confirmed. Overall, this study provides a novel method to fabricate TFC membranes and helps to better understand the influence of the support layer on the separation performance of TFC membranes.

“Renewable and Recyclable Polymeric Materials for Food Packaging” is a new open Special Issue of Materials that will publish original and review papers on new scientific and applied research, and the articles it contains will make a contribution to the discovery and understanding of biodegradable and recyclable materials, their functional properties, characterization and applications.

Thin film composite (TFC) membranes have been experiencing significant modifications recently aiming to improve their structure, properties and separation efficiency. One of the promising modifications to tailor the membranes more efficient is changing the materials used. m-phenylene diamine (MPD), piperazine (PIP), and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) are the most common monomers used to fabricate TFC membranes. Recent studies have introduced several alternatives to these traditional monomers showing significant contribution of these monomers to the physicochemical properties of the membranes (e.g., surface roughness, hydrophilicity, cross-linking density, chemical structure) as well as membranes' separation efficiency. Emergence of more favorable functional groups such as carboxylic and amine groups due to the new materials integration facilitates the polymerization process and is beneficial to the membrane properties. Here, a critical review on the new interfacial polymerization monomers applied for reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes fabrication is presented. The membrane molecular structure and fabrication mechanism are investigated in details. This is followed by a review of the recent surface modification methods including grafting, coating and additive incorporating into the thin layer of membranes. The application of alternative monomers to MPD, PIP and TMC are investigated and the benefits of using these monomers or co-monomers are discussed.

Thin film composite (TFC) membranes have been experiencing significant modifications recently aiming to improve their structure, properties and separation efficiency. One of the promising modifications to tailor the membranes more efficient is changing the materials used. m-phenylene diamine (MPD), piperazine (PIP), and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) are the most common monomers used to fabricate TFC membranes. Recent studies have introduced several alternatives to these traditional monomers showing significant contribution of these monomers to the physicochemical properties of the membranes (e.g., surface roughness, hydrophilicity, cross-linking density, chemical structure) as well as membranes' separation efficiency. Emergence of more favorable functional groups such as carboxylic and amine groups due to the new materials integration facilitates the polymerization process and is beneficial to the membrane properties. Here, a critical review on the new interfacial polymerization monomers applied for reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes fabrication is presented. The membrane molecular structure and fabrication mechanism are investigated in details. This is followed by a review of the recent surface modification methods including grafting, coating and additive incorporating into the thin layer of membranes. The application of alternative monomers to MPD, PIP and TMC are investigated and the benefits of using these monomers or co-monomers are discussed.

The emergence and accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in various aquatic environments have recently raised significant concerns. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been identified as one of the major sources of MPs discharge to the environment, implying a substantial need to improve advanced techniques for more efficient removal of MPs. Polymeric membranes have been proven effective in MPs removal. However, fouling is the main drawback of membrane processes and MPs can foul the membranes due to their small size and specific surface properties. Hence, it is important to investigate the impacts of MPs on membrane fouling to develop efficient membrane-based techniques for MPs removal. Although membrane technologies have a high potential for MPs removal, the interaction of MPs with membranes and their fouling effects have not been critically reviewed. The purpose of this paper is to provide a state-of-the-art review of MPs interaction with membranes and facilitate a better understanding of the relevant limitations and prospects of the membrane technologies. The first section of this paper is dedicated to a review of recent studies on MPs occurrence in WWTPs aiming to determine the most frequent MPs. This is followed by a summary of recent studies on MPs removal using membranes and discussions on the impact of MPs on membrane fouling and other probable issues (abrasion, concentration polarisation, biofouling, etc.). Finally, some recommendations for further research in this area are highlighted. This study serves as a valuable reference for future research on the development of anti-fouling membranes considering these new emerging contaminates.

Thin film composite (TFC) membranes have been experiencing significant modifications recently aiming to improve their structure, properties and separation efficiency. One of the promising modifications to tailor the membranes more efficient is changing the materials used. m-phenylene diamine (MPD), piperazine (PIP), and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) are the most common monomers used to fabricate TFC membranes. Recent studies have introduced several alternatives to these traditional monomers showing significant contribution of these monomers to the physicochemical properties of the membranes (e.g., surface roughness, hydrophilicity, cross-linking density, chemical structure) as well as membranes' separation efficiency. Emergence of more favorable functional groups such as carboxylic and amine groups due to the new materials integration facilitates the polymerization process and is beneficial to the membrane properties. Here, a critical review on the new interfacial polymerization monomers applied for reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes fabrication is presented. The membrane molecular structure and fabrication mechanism are investigated in details. This is followed by a review of the recent surface modification methods including grafting, coating and additive incorporating into the thin layer of membranes. The application of alternative monomers to MPD, PIP and TMC are investigated and the benefits of using these monomers or co-monomers are discussed.

The emergence and accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in various aquatic environments have recently raised significant concerns. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been identified as one of the major sources of MPs discharge to the environment, implying a substantial need to improve advanced techniques for more efficient removal of MPs. Polymeric membranes have been proven effective in MPs removal. However, fouling is the main drawback of membrane processes and MPs can foul the membranes due to their small size and specific surface properties. Hence, it is important to investigate the impacts of MPs on membrane fouling to develop efficient membrane-based techniques for MPs removal. Although membrane technologies have a high potential for MPs removal, the interaction of MPs with membranes and their fouling effects have not been critically reviewed. The purpose of this paper is to provide a state-of-the-art review of MPs interaction with membranes and facilitate a better understanding of the relevant limitations and prospects of the membrane technologies. The first section of this paper is dedicated to a review of recent studies on MPs occurrence in WWTPs aiming to determine the most frequent MPs. This is followed by a summary of recent studies on MPs removal using membranes and discussions on the impact of MPs on membrane fouling and other probable issues (abrasion, concentration polarisation, biofouling, etc.). Finally, some recommendations for further research in this area are highlighted. This study serves as a valuable reference for future research on the development of anti-fouling membranes considering these new emerging contaminates.

Thin film composite (TFC) membranes have been experiencing significant modifications recently aiming to improve their structure, properties and separation efficiency. One of the promising modifications to tailor the membranes more efficient is changing the materials used. m-phenylene diamine (MPD), piperazine (PIP), and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) are the most common monomers used to fabricate TFC membranes. Recent studies have introduced several alternatives to these traditional monomers showing significant contribution of these monomers to the physicochemical properties of the membranes (e.g., surface roughness, hydrophilicity, cross-linking density, chemical structure) as well as membranes' separation efficiency. Emergence of more favorable functional groups such as carboxylic and amine groups due to the new materials integration facilitates the polymerization process and is beneficial to the membrane properties. Here, a critical review on the new interfacial polymerization monomers applied for reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes fabrication is presented. The membrane molecular structure and fabrication mechanism are investigated in details. This is followed by a review of the recent surface modification methods including grafting, coating and additive incorporating into the thin layer of membranes. The application of alternative monomers to MPD, PIP and TMC are investigated and the benefits of using these monomers or co-monomers are discussed.

Thin film composite (TFC) membranes have been experiencing significant modifications recently aiming to improve their structure, properties and separation efficiency. One of the promising modifications to tailor the membranes more efficient is changing the materials used. m-phenylene diamine (MPD), piperazine (PIP), and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) are the most common monomers used to fabricate TFC membranes. Recent studies have introduced several alternatives to these traditional monomers showing significant contribution of these monomers to the physicochemical properties of the membranes (e.g., surface roughness, hydrophilicity, cross-linking density, chemical structure) as well as membranes' separation efficiency. Emergence of more favorable functional groups such as carboxylic and amine groups due to the new materials integration facilitates the polymerization process and is beneficial to the membrane properties. Here, a critical review on the new interfacial polymerization monomers applied for reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes fabrication is presented. The membrane molecular structure and fabrication mechanism are investigated in details. This is followed by a review of the recent surface modification methods including grafting, coating and additive incorporating into the thin layer of membranes. The application of alternative monomers to MPD, PIP and TMC are investigated and the benefits of using these monomers or co-monomers are discussed.

Thin film composite (TFC) membranes have been experiencing significant modifications recently aiming to improve their structure, properties and separation efficiency. One of the promising modifications to tailor the membranes more efficient is changing the materials used. m-phenylene diamine (MPD), piperazine (PIP), and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) are the most common monomers used to fabricate TFC membranes. Recent studies have introduced several alternatives to these traditional monomers showing significant contribution of these monomers to the physicochemical properties of the membranes (e.g., surface roughness, hydrophilicity, cross-linking density, chemical structure) as well as membranes' separation efficiency. Emergence of more favorable functional groups such as carboxylic and amine groups due to the new materials integration facilitates the polymerization process and is beneficial to the membrane properties. Here, a critical review on the new interfacial polymerization monomers applied for reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes fabrication is presented. The membrane molecular structure and fabrication mechanism are investigated in details. This is followed by a review of the recent surface modification methods including grafting, coating and additive incorporating into the thin layer of membranes. The application of alternative monomers to MPD, PIP and TMC are investigated and the benefits of using these monomers or co-monomers are discussed.

Forward osmosis (FO) and reverse osmosis (RO) membrane processes differ in their driving forces: osmotic pressure versus hydraulic pressure. Concentration polarization (CP) can adversely affect both performance and lifetime in such membrane systems. In order to mitigate against CP, the extent and severity of it need to be predicted more accurately through advanced online monitoring methodologies. Whilst a variety of monitoring techniques have been used to study the CP mechanism, there is still a pressing need to develop and apply non-invasive, in situ techniques able to produce quantitative, spatially resolved measurements of heterogeneous solute concentration in, and adjacent to, the membrane assembly as caused by the CP mechanism. To this end, 23Na magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to image the sodium ion concentration within, and near to, both FO and RO composite membranes for the first time; this is also coupled with 1H MRI mapping of the corresponding water distribution. As such, it is possible to directly image salt accumulation due to CP processes during desalination. This was consistent with literature expectations and serves to confirm the suitability of 23Na MRI as a novel non-invasive technique for CP studies.

Forward osmosis (FO) and reverse osmosis (RO) membrane processes differ in their driving forces: osmotic pressure versus hydraulic pressure. Concentration polarization (CP) can adversely affect both performance and lifetime in such membrane systems. In order to mitigate against CP, the extent and severity of it need to be predicted more accurately through advanced online monitoring methodologies. Whilst a variety of monitoring techniques have been used to study the CP mechanism, there is still a pressing need to develop and apply non-invasive, in situ techniques able to produce quantitative, spatially resolved measurements of heterogeneous solute concentration in, and adjacent to, the membrane assembly as caused by the CP mechanism. To this end, 23Na magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to image the sodium ion concentration within, and near to, both FO and RO composite membranes for the first time; this is also coupled with 1H MRI mapping of the corresponding water distribution. As such, it is possible to directly image salt accumulation due to CP processes during desalination. This was consistent with literature expectations and serves to confirm the suitability of 23Na MRI as a novel non-invasive technique for CP studies.

Mertah, O., James, A., Zargar, M., Chauhan, S., Kherbeche, A., & Chellam, P. V. (2022). Multifunctional composite aerogels—As micropollutant scavengers. In E. Lichtfouse, S. S. Muthu & A. Khadir (Eds.), Inorganic-organic composites for water and wastewater treatment (pp. 229-266). Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-5928-7_7

Farahbakhsh, J., Vatanpour, V., Khoshnam, M., & Zargar, M. (2021). Recent advancements in the application of new monomers and membrane modification techniques for the fabrication of thin film composite membranes: A review. Reactive and Functional Polymers, 166, article 105015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reactfunctpolym.2021.105015

Zargar, M., Johns, M. L., Aljindan, J. M., Noui-Mehidi, M. N., & O'Neill, K. T. (2021). Nuclear magnetic resonance multiphase flowmeters: Current status and future prospects. SPE Production & Operations, 36(2), 423-436. https://doi.org/10.2118/205351-PA

This is an author's accepted manuscript of: Golgoli, M., Khiadani, M., Shafieian, A., Sen, T. K., Hartanto, Y., Johns, M. L., & Zargar, M. (2021). Microplastics fouling and interaction with polymeric membranes: A review. Chemosphere, 283, article 131185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131185

Zargar, M., Fridjonsson, E. O., Graham, B. F., May, E. F., & Johns, M. L. (2019). Oil-based binding resins: Peculiar water-in-oil emulsion breakers. Energy & Fuels, 33(9), 8448-8455. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.9b01994

Wagner, L., Zargar, M., Kalli, C., Fridjonsson, E. O., Ling, N. N. A., May, E. F., ... Johns, M. L. (2020). Solid-phase extraction nuclear magnetic resonance (SPE-NMR): Prototype design, development, and automation. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 59(47), 20836-20844. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.0c04827