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A series of cobalt ferrite/cadmium oxide (CFO/CO) hetero-junctions were synthesized via an ultra-sonication approach. The compositions were examined based on ferroelectric, optical and photo-catalytic properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy and photo-luminescence (PL) were employed for the characterization of the prepared materials. XRD analysis confirmed a distorted cubic phase with space group fm3m and grain size was in 17.6–19.2 nm range. The ferroelectric parameters were enhanced significantly by the addition of CO (CdO) into the CFO (CoFe 2 O 4) crystal lattice. The band-gap energy was decreased significantly of hetero-junctions from 3.29 to 2.54 eV. The enhanced ferroelectric polarization with low band-gap energy boosts their ferroelectric and optical responses. A reduction in PL intensity was observed in hetero-junctions. The photo-catalytic activity (PCA) of CFO and cobalt ferrite/cadmium oxide (1–4) hetero-junctions CFO/CO (1–4) was examined by photo-degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) dye under visible light exposure. The CFO/CO4 photo-catalyst exhibited superior PCA of 92% within 90 min irradiation. Additionally, photo-catalyst dose and pH effect on the kinetics of MB dye degradation was also examined. Superior PCA of CFO/CO4 in comparison to pure CFO makes this material a promising candidate for the removal of hazardous dyes in effluents under visible light irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As heavy metals are very noxious for health also known as one of the most poisonous classes of water contaminants. Typically, metal pollutants are non-biodegradable and impervious towards oxidants, heat, and light. Thus, it is a precisely demanding task to eliminate them from water to reduce water pollution. In current studies, the process of adsorption was employed for deracination of Zn and Fe with modified surface of natural material as an adsorbent. TiO 2 NPs were synthesized by using leaf extract of Putranjiva roxburghii and its nanocomposites were made with the fish scale biomass. Prime conditions for proficient removal of zinc were recognized at pH = 4 and for iron at pH = 6 having an initial concentration 100 mg/L, adsorbent dose rate of 0.1 g and contact time 120 minutes. Thermodynamic study revealed that process was spontaneous, and exothermic, resulted in increase in entropy with rise in temperature. Adsorption process has been certified with different isotherm and kinetic models, where the experimental data was brought into being good agreement with pseudo second order ( R 2 = 0.986) and Freundlich isotherm ( R 2 = 0.993) as compared with other models. For characterization of synthesized adsorbents scanning electron microscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy and Fourier-transform Infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and energy-dispersive X-ray were used. Average particle size of the adsorbent used ranged from 1 to 5 µm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic pollution has become a major environmental problem because it does not break down and poses risks to ecosystems and human health. This study focuses on the environmentally friendly synthesis of ZnO nanocubes using an extract from Ceropegia omissa H. Huber plant leaves. The primary goal is to investigate the viability of these nanocubes as visible-light photocatalysts for the degradation of bisphenol A (BPA). The synthesized ZnO nanocubes have a highly crystalline structure and a bandgap of 3.1 eV, making them suitable for effective visible-light photocatalysis. FTIR analysis, which demonstrates that the pertinent functional groups are present, demonstrates the chemical bonding and reducing processes that take place in the plant extract. The XPS method also studies zinc metals, oxygen valencies, and binding energies. Under visible light irradiation, ZnO nanocubes degrade BPA by 86% in 30 min. This plant-extract-based green synthesis method provides a long-term replacement for traditional procedures, and visible light photocatalysis has advantages over ultraviolet light. The study's results show that ZnO nanocubes may be good for the environment and can work well as visible light photocatalysts to break down organic pollutants. This adds to what is known about using nanoparticles to clean up the environment. As a result, this study highlights the potential of using environmentally friendly ZnO nanocubes as a long-lasting and efficient method of reducing organic pollutant contamination in aquatic environments. • Environmentally friendly synthesis of ZnO nanocubes using an extract from Ceropegia omissa H. Huber plant leaves. • ZnO nanocubes have a highly crystalline structure and a bandgap of 3.1 Ev. • Under visible light irradiation, ZnO nanocubes degrade BPA by 86% in 30 min to mitigate the Water Pollution. • An innovative addressing towards sustainable environment for mitigation of water pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Microwave-assisted-glycerol deep eutectic solvent was employed for the extraction of phytochemicals from the C. intybus. • The efficiency was evaluated based on TTC, TPC, TFC and DPPH radical scavenging activity. • At optimum conditions, the glycerol deep eutectic solvent showed promising efficiency. • This solvent system could be used for bioactive extraction on a larger scale. In this study, glycerol-based deep eutectic solvent system was employed for optimized extraction of valuable phytochemicals from the Cichorium intybus plant. Microwave assisted-glycerol based deep eutectic solvent extraction technique (MAE-G DES) was optimized with response surface methodology (RSM) with glycerol/sodium acetate DES as extracting solvent. The responses include total tannin content (TTC), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity (DRSA). The results showed well fitted models as linear model for TPC and quadratic model for TTC, TFC and DRSA. The optimized conditions were found to be 315 W (microwave power), 2 min (extraction time), and 34 mL/g (solvents to sample ratio) with optimum TTC as 1.289 mg TAE/g dry weight (DW), TPC as 401.55 mg GAE/100 g DW, TFC as 135.64 mg RE/100 g DW and DRSA of 19.24 mg AAE/g of DW. Furthermore, the optimized MAE-G DES extract was screened for antidiabetic potential and the results showed 46.76 ± 2.03 % inhibition against α-glucosidase and 21.35 ± 0.22 % α-amylase inhibitory activity compared to standard acarbose as 43.97 ± 1.54 % and 39.46 ± 2.10 % inhibition against α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes, respectively at a concentration of 10 mg/mL. It is concluded by this work that glycerol/sodium-acetate based deep eutectic solvents could be used as an alternative and effective solvent for the extraction of tannins and other pharmaceutically significant phytochemicals from Chicorium intybus on a larger scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focusses on the fabrication of a thin film nanocomposite forward osmosis (FO) membrane using PA support. This was done through interfacial polymerization with MOF MIL-101(Cr). There are various methods which are used for the purification of water such as ion-exchange method; reverse osmosis, adsorption, solvent extraction but these are expensive, old and timing consuming. So there is need of a unique and reliable method which is cheap, easy, less time consuming, pollution free and can give better results. For this purpose, I have worked on FO membranes with the incorporation of novel MOF MIL-101(Cr). By using different characterization methods, the surface properties, chemical composition and structure of FO membranes based on MOF MIL-101(Cr) were studied. This coating has done by layer by method therefore has larger pores to higher selective layer roughness. It also enhanced the membrane permeability and heavy metal rejection because MOF MIL-101(Cr) has unique structures and desirable mechanical and chemical properties. This MOF has high thermal stability, greater surface area and high porosity. It was observed that TNF membranes provide ultrafast nano-channels for water transport, higher water flux and lower the solute reverse flux as compared to TFC membranes without MIL-101(Cr). The results of FO thin film nanocomposite membranes based on MOF MIL-101(Cr) have shown the 81 % heavy metal rejection than simple polyamide membranes. This FO method will offer further promising applications, opportunities and excellent separation performances to produce composite membranes with thin films on microfiltration substrates to mitigate concentration polarization. [Display omitted] • MIL-101(Cr) was characterized using FTIR, XRD and adsorption desorption isotherms. • Fabricated MOF was incorporated in TFN membranes as a filler to enhance the crystallinity. • MIL-101(Cr) has enhanced the water flux by reduction in reverse solute flux. • MIL-101(Cr) incorporated membranes are highly selective adsorbent for As and Cr metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]