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The development of low-cost, efficient and sustainable technology is considered to be of paramount for the efficient degradation of toxic pollutants. The research in this report constructs an S-scheme heterojunction CoO/ZnFe2O4 nanocomposite (NCs) with outstanding photocatalytic performance on methylene blue (MB) dye degradation under visible light illumination. Several techniques were used for nanoparticles (NPs) and NCs to determine their morphological, structural, and optical properties. The CoO/ZnFe2O4 NCs (88.5%) exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity compared to the pristine CoO (66.8%) and ZnFe2O4 (64.3%). The total organic carbon (TOC) analysis confirmed that the MB dye was completely mineralised by the as-prepared NCs. From the results of the GC-MS/MS analysis, a possible intermediate formation and degradation pathway was identified. The h+ and ˙OH are the free radicals which primarily dominate the photocatalytic process. A recyclability study performed on the CoO/ZnFe2O4 NCs revealed that it was an extremely stable catalyst, even after six cycles, without substantial decreases in its degradation activity. The intermediate toxicity was predicted using ECOSAR software and the results confirmed the non-toxicity of the end product formed during the degradation of the MB dye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a magnetic Fe3O4–CeO2 nano-heterojunction was fabricated on an organic matrix cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) using a sonochemical method. The resulting nanocomposites (NCs) were used for the synergetic removal of tetracycline by adsorption and photocatalysis and their antimicrobial applications were also investigated. The average diameter and zeta potential of the NCs were 46 ± 2 nm and −33.24 ± 1.34 mV, respectively. The presence of the CTAB matrix was verified by FTIR analysis. The adsorption of tetracycline on the NCs was well fitted to the Langmuir model. The maximal adsorption was noted at pH 5. The photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline (25 mg L−1) by the NCs (10 mg L−1) reached 96.6% in 3 h under visible-light irradiation. The photocatalysis mechanism followed the S-scheme by retaining the photo-excited e−/h+ pairs with strong redox potential. The particles exhibited excellent antibiofilm and antibacterial activities. There was increased ROS generation and lipid peroxidation in the bacterial species upon exposure to the NCs. The bacterial antioxidant defense systems were disturbed upon exposure to the NCs. Therefore, the as-prepared Fe3O4–CeO2-CTAB NCs could be used as a promising candidate in wastewater treatment for disinfection applications and the adsorptive/photocatalytic removal of pharmaceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, ternary CoCr2O4–Bi2WO4–NiS2 nanocomposite (CCO–BWO–NS NC), a semiconductor photocatalyst, was prepared for the effective mineralization of doxycycline and photocatalytic removal of Cr(VI). Here, the modification of BiO–WO4–BiO (BWO) as a sandwich structure caused higher lattice oxygen vacancies. The decoration of NiS2 (NS) on CCO–BWO enhanced the photocatalytic activity of the NC under visible-light irradiation. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of doxycycline (doxy) and removal of Cr(VI) by the CCO–BWO–NS NC was found to be 99.8% and 94.7%, respectively. The subsurface and solid solution-type defect engineering was determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Density function theory (DFT) calculations enabled the band structure and defect mechanism of the CCO–BWO–NS NC to be determined. Further, the photocatalytic efficiency was studied by varying the pH in the degradation of doxy and removal of Cr(VI). The total organic carbon (TOC) reduction after doxy photodegradation was found to be 98.6%. In addition, the genotoxicity of the CCO–BWO–NS NC was determined and the results showed that the CCO–BWO–NS NC had a comparatively lower genotoxicity and mitotic index, and no micronuclei were observed. Thus, the prepared CCO–BWO–NS NC was found be an excellent photocatalyst for the effective removal of doxy and Cr(VI). The study suggests that the CCO–BWO–NS NC could be an excellent photocatalyst for environmental water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of microplastics (MPs) as pollutants in agricultural soils is increasingly alarming, presenting significant threats to soil ecosystems. Given the widespread contamination of ecosystems by various types of MPs, including polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyethylene (PE), it is crucial to understand their effects on agricultural productivity. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of different types of MPs (PS, PVC, and PE) on various aspects of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) growth with the addition of rice straw biochar (RSB). This study aimed to examine plant growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments and gas exchange characteristics, oxidative stress indicators, and the response of various antioxidants (enzymatic and non-enzymatic) and their specific gene expression, proline metabolism, the AsA–GSH cycle, cellular fractionation in the plants and post-harvest soil properties. The research outcomes indicated that elevated levels of different types of MPs in the soil notably reduced plant growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments, and gas exchange attributes. Different types of MPs also induced oxidative stress, which caused an increase in various enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant compounds, gene expression and sugar content; notably, a significant increase in proline metabolism, AsA–GSH cycle, and pigmentation of cellular components was also observed. Favorably, the addition of RSB significantly increased plant growth and biomass, gas exchange characteristics, enzymatic and non-enzymatic compounds, and relevant gene expression while decreasing oxidative stress. In addition, RSB amendment decreased proline metabolism and AsA-GSH cycle in H. annuus plants, thereby enhancing cellular fractionation and improving post-harvest soil properties. These results open new avenues for sustainable agriculture practices and show great potential for resolving the urgent issues caused by microplastic contamination in agricultural soils. [Display omitted] • RSB mitigates MPs' effects on sunflower growth. • Study reveals RSB boosts plant antioxidant levels. • MPs reduce biomass and photosynthesis in sunflowers. • RSB enhances nutrient uptake and stress resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we reported the process for the production of Pd/CuO/ZnO nanocomposite utilizing alkaline protease from Phalaris minor seed extract, which is a unique, effective biogenic approach. Alkaline protease performed a crucial part in the reduction, capping and stabilization of Pd/CuO/ZnO nanocomposites. A series of physicochemical techniques were used to inquire the formation, size, shape and crystalline nature of Pd/CuO/ZnO nanocomposites. The notable performance of the synthesized nanocomposite as a photocatalyst and an antibacterial disinfectant was astonishing. The Pd/CuO/ZnO nanocrystals showed considerable photocatalytic activity by eliminating 99 % of the methylene blue (MB) in <30 min of exposure. After three test cycles, the nanocatalyst demonstrated exceptional reliability as a photocatalyst. The nanocomposite was also discovered to be an effective antibacterial agent, with zones of inhibitory activity for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria of 30(±0.2), 27(±0.3), 22(±0.2), and 21(±0.3) mm, respectively, in both light and dark conditions. Moreover, the Pd/CuO/ZnO nanocomposites showed strong antioxidant activity by efficiently scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. The photocatalytic, antibacterial and antioxidative performance of Pd, CuO, ZnO, and CuO/ZnO were also assessed for the sake of comparison. This work shows that biogenic nanocomposites may be employed as a feasible alternative photocatalyst for the decomposition of dyes in waste water as well as a sustainable antibacterial agent. • A novel method employing alkaline protease was used for the synthesis of Pd/CuO/ZnO nanocomposite. • The detailed mechanistic study of dye degradation was conducted. • Pd/CuO/ZnO nanocomposite exhibited significant antibacterial and antioxidant activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increasing use of antibiotics, the development of antibiotic-resistant pathogens poses a serious threat to human health and the environment. Photocatalytic inactivation of these harmful pathogens is one of the novel and non-antibiotic treatments. The study fabricated Ag NPs decorated CdZnS QDs via a facile and biological co-precipitation method using L. camara plant extract as a green alternative to treat the toxic chemicals. The fabricated Ag/CdZnS QDs (NCs) were prepared for the efficient treatment of antibiotic-resistant pathogens as they raise a major global concern. The fabricated NCs were characterized with various characterization techniques to verify its physicochemical properties. The fabricated NCs have shown excellent photo-sterilization performance of 97 % against S. aureus. The excellent activity was attributed to the decoration of Ag NPs on CdZnS QDs as it helped in shortening band gap, improved visible light absorption ability, increased active sites, and boosted photogenerated electron/hole pairs stability. Radical trapping experiment and ESR analysis indicated the involvement of •OH and h+ in the photoinactivation of bacteria. The photo sterilization reaction of NCs was carried out under different environmental conditions, including light and dark conditions and different pH conditions. The experiment was carried out in sewage-treated water in order to test the real-time application, and the fabricated NCs achieved excellent 95.9 % photo-inactivation of S. aureus cells in sewage treated water and the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) of the system was increased after photo inactivation treatment. The fabricated NCs have also shown excellent reusable efficiency of 95% after six runs and the photostability and anti-corrosive nature of NCs were confirmed. The study provides an insight for the employment of photocatalysis for the sterilization of pathogens in real time aquatic environment across the globe. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sprouts are well known for having a remarkable nutritional profile. Enhancing plant chemical composition and quality of sprouts is essential since these metabolites offer numerous health advantages. To this end, this study aimed to investigate the effects of priming with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the growth and nitrogen (N) metabolism of four horticultural plants, namely, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Linium grandiflorum, Lepidium sativum, and Anethum gravelones. The properties of our synthesized MWCNTs included three characteristic peaks 3434, 1539, and 1068 cm−1 attributable to the stretching vibration of O–H, bending vibration, and C − O, respectively. MWCNT priming increased the sprouting process by inducing biomass and protein accumulation. MWCNT priming improved N metabolism, including amino acid and polyamine metabolism. At the amino acid level, there was an increase in amino acid levels (e.g., glycine, lysine, asparagine, and glutamic acid) as well as their metabolic enzyme activities, including glutamine synthetase (GS), threonine synthetase (TS), and glutamate synthetase (GOGAT). Increased polyamine levels like spermine, putrescine, and spermidine were also associated with boosting their related biosynthetic enzyme activities, i.e., arginine decarboxylase (ADC), ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), spermidine synthase, and spermine synthase (SpmS). This improvement of nitrogen metabolic pathways highlights the potential of MWCNT to boost the chemical composition of horticultural plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious diseases, particularly bacterial infections, pose a global crisis with significant impacts on public health and economic stability due to the emergence of multi-drug resistance and limitations in existing therapeutic options. The present study focused on the development of photocatalytic disinfectant and silver-decorated hexagonal zinc oxide nanorods (Ag/ZnO NRs) were fabricated through an ultrasonic-assisted solvothermal method, and investigated for the photocatalytic inactivation on E. coli. The morphological, structural, and optical characteristics of the fabricated Ag/ZnO NRs were systematically studied through various analytical techniques. Here, 3%Ag/ZnO NRs showed 96.9% inactivation of E. coli within 120 min of visible light irradiation. The excellent inactivation efficiency of the photocatalyst could be attributed to the higher charge carrier mobility, efficient electron-hole pair separation, and highvisible light harvesting ability. The Schottky heterojunction was proposed as a possible mechanism for the photoinactivation of E. coli. Further, the impacts of different dosages of nanocomposites (NCs) and varying pH on bacterial inactivation were studied under visible light exposure. The reusability and stability of the NCs were investigatedfor 6 consecutive cycles of photoinactivation and it showed excellent efficiency (91.16%) of the photocatalyst for prolonged usage. The real-time application was assessed using reclaimed wastewaterand the influence on the organic matter was determined using COD analysis. The proposed study offers a significant point reference for the practical application of photocatalysis forthe inactivation of antibiotic-resistant microbes present in water bodies and environmental wastewater. [Display omitted] • Ag/ZnO nanorods with (200) hexagonal facets were fabricated via ultrasonic assisted method. • Optimized 3%Ag/ZnO exhibited excellent photocatalytic inactivation of E. coli. • Schottky heterojunction with enhanced charge separation elucidated from PL and EIS. • Real time waste water photoinactivation evaluation suggests its practical applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the discharge of pharmaceutical drugs into aquatic ecosystems has become a growing concern, posing a significant threat to aquatic life. In response to this environmental challenge, advanced oxidation processes have gained prominence in wastewater treatment due to their efficacy in eliminating pharmaceutical pollutants and their potential for reusability. In this study, we have fabricated SnIn 4 S 8 coupled SrO 2 nano-heterojunction (NH) using a greener co-precipitation approach using leaf extract derived from Acaphyla wilkesiana. The resulting NH exhibited exceptional photocatalytic activity against rifampicin (RIF), achieving a remarkable 97.4% degradation under visible light, surpassing the performance of its individual components. The morphological characteristics of the NH were thoroughly analyzed through SEM, TEM, XRD, and XPS techniques, while EIS, DRS, and BET techniques provided valuable insights into its photocatalytic and optical properties. Furthermore, radical scavenging assays and ESR analysis identified hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and superoxide radicals (O 2 •-) were the species contributing to the visible light-driven photocatalytic degradation. The study also elucidated the potential degradation pathways and intermediates of RIF through GC-MS analysis. Additionally, the toxicity of the produced intermediates was assessed using the ECOSAR model. The findings have significant implications for the treatment of pharmaceutical pollutants and underscore the importance of eco-friendly synthesis methods in addressing environmental challenges. [Display omitted] • Green synthesis of SnIn 4 S 8 /SrO 2 was done by using leaf extract of Acaphyla wilkesiana. • Nanohybrid exhibited enhanced photocatalytic degradation of Rifampicin. • Both O 2.•- and •OH played dominant role in photocatalytic degradation of Rifampicin. • Toxicity prediction of intermediate formed were assessed by ECOSAR program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work is centred around the development of La 2 O 3 /(BiO) 2 CO 3 /Ag 3 PO 4 (LBA), a p-n-p nano-heterojunction to photodegrade doxycycline under visible light irradiation. Here, ultrasonication assisted co-precipitation method was employed to synthesize the photocatalyst. The photocatalyst was characterized using different analysis such as SEM, TEM, elemental mapping, XRD, XPS, FTIR, Raman, BET, DRS, PL and EIS which confirmed the successful fabrication of LBA and their excellent ability to refrain the e−/h+ recombination owing to the construction of the heterojunction. LBA was found to degrade DOX by 91.75 % with the high mineralization of 87.23%. The impact of the reaction parameters influencing the photodegradation process including the concentration of the NCs and DOX, pH and the influence of the commonly present anions were studied. The stability and reusability of the LBA was assessed through subjecting it to four cycles of photodegradation of DOX. In addition, the recovered LBA was characterized through XPS and XRD analysis to confirm the particles stability and reusability. The active participation of the photogenerated charges and the reactive oxygen species were identified through the scavenging assay and ESR analysis. Further, GC-MS/MS analysis was performed to put forward a plausible photodegradation pathway. The toxicity of the end products as well as the intermediates was predicted through ECOSAR software. [Display omitted] • LBA nano-hetrojunctionwas prepared via ultrasonication assisted co-precipitation method. • The photodegradation of doxycycline was found to be 91.75 %. • •OH and h+ were primarily involved in photocatalytic reactions. • The LBA nano-hetrojunction exhibited excellent photostability and reusability. • The degradation pathway was elucidated by GC-MS/MS analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A morphological oriented highly active Cu 2 O–Ag–CaWO 4 (CAC) nano-heterojunction was fabricated for the visible light driven degradation of rifampicin (RFP). Octahedron shaped Cu 2 O being a base material, where the Tagetes shaped CaWO 4 and Ag were embedded on it. The shape-controlled morphology of Cu 2 O and CaWO 4 as well as Ag decoration influence high degree of adsorption of RFP and interfacial charge transfer between the nano-heterojunction. Further, the larger specific surface area (129.531 m2/g) and narrow band gap energy (2.57 eV) of CAC nano-heterojunction than the controls support the statement. Positively, CAC nano-heterojunction following Z-scheme-type charge transport mechanism attained 96% of RFP degradation within 100 min. O 2 •- and •OH are the primarily involved reactive oxidation species (ROS) during the photocatalytic reactions, determined by scavenger study and ESR analysis. The stability and reusability of the CAC nano-heterojunction was assessed through performing cyclic experiment of RFP degradation and it holds 96.8% of degradation even after 6th cycle. The stability of CAC nano-heterojunction after photodegradation was further confirmed based on crystalline pattern (XRD analysis) and compositional states (XPS analysis). Intermediates formed during RFP degradation and its toxicity was discovered by using GC-MS/MS and ECOSAR analysis respectively. The end-product toxicity against bacterial system and genotoxicity of CAC nano-heterojunction against Allium cepa were evaluated and the results were seemed to have no negative causes for the aquatic lives. • CAC nano-heterojunction with Z-scheme-type charge transport mechanism was fabricated for RFP degradation. • CAC nano-heterojunction attained 96% of RFP degradation within 100 min. • O 2.•- and •OH are the primarily involved ROS during the photocatalytic reactions. • Degradation pathway was proposed using GC-MS/MS analysis. • Toxicity studies against bacterial system and Allium cepa was employed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "Alleviation of cadmium toxicity in pea (Pisum sativum L.) through Zn-Lys supplementation and its effects on growth and antioxidant defense" published in the journal Environmental Science & Pollution Research. The correction addresses the incorrect affiliation of the first author and the funding acknowledgment in the original article. The correct affiliation should be King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the correct funding acknowledgment should be for the Researchers Supporting Project number (RSP2023R374) at King Saud University. The publisher, Springer Nature, remains neutral regarding jurisdictional claims and institutional affiliations. [Extracted from the article]

Most bacterial disinfectants contain high levels of extremely toxic and environmental hazardous chemicals, which pose a significant threat to the ecosystem. Semiconductor photocatalysis exhibits attractive prospects as an emerging greener technology for waste water disinfection. However, the fast recombination of charge carriers limits its practical application. Herein, self-assembled polymeric feather-like g-C 3 N 4 (GCN) nanosheets modified with ferromagnetic CuFe 2 O 4 (CFO) nanospheres were successfully applied as a reusable visible light photocatalytic disinfectant. As expected, the g-C 3 N 4 /CuFe 2 O 4 (GCF) nanohybrid displayed superior photocatalytic inactivation efficiency of 0.157log within 120 min towards Escherichia coli DH5α (E. coli) compared with pristine GCN and CFO. The characterization results revealed the synergistic heterostructure interfaces, high surface area, and the transformative self-assembly of GCN to feather-like structure providing a rich active site for improved charge separation efficiency, and wide spectral response, therefore the superior performance of GCF. The radical trapping assay proclaimed that both O 2 •- and •OH radical played major role in the photocatalytic inactivation among the other reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, the chemical oxygen demand (COD), protein estimation, and DNA estimation assay results validated the cell damage caused by the photocatalyst. Besides that, GCN showed applicability in real-time wastewater samples with improved efficiency than in the saline solution. The excellent magnetic characteristics facilitated the recycling of the catalyst with insignificant leaching, magnetic induction, and distinguished separation. The results of this work signify the well-designed GCF as a high-performance and reusable photocatalyst for real-world pathogenic bacterial disinfection operations. [Display omitted] • Self-assembled g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets on CuFe 2 O 4 nanospheres was fabricated via reflux assisted method. • GCN/CF exhibits superior photocatalytic inactivation of E. coli. • Disinfection study in wastewater sample verified the potential environmental application. • Both.●OH and O 2 •- radicals played the major role in the photocatalytic inactivation of E. coli. • The cell wall damage of E. coli was verified by SEM imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the rGO-Bi 2 Sn 2 O 7 -NiFe 2 O 4 nanocomposite (RBN NCs) was fabricated using an in-situ hydrothermal method and applied for the effective aqueous degradation of doxycycline (DOX). Various analytical techniques were employed to characterize the physicochemical properties of the fabricated nanoparticles, including TEM, UV–Vis, PL, FE-SEM, ESR, DRS, XPS, XRD, and N 2 adsorption and desorption analysis. The efficiency of DOX degradation by the RBN system under different conditions was evaluated. Under optimal conditions (RBN concentration = 50 mg/L and pH = 7.0), the NCs removed 99.1% of DOX (10 mg/L) within 270 min under visible light irradiation. ESR and scavenging tests illustrated that the developed system produced O 2 ⦁- radicals, which played a dominant role in the complete degradation of DOX. The mineralization of DOX was confirmed by total organic carbon results. The RBN system displayed exceptional reusability over six consecutive cycles and could be easily removed from treated water due to its magnetic properties. The toxicity of the end-product after degradation was assessed against Escherichia coli (gram-negative) and Bacillus subtilis (gram-positive). Additionally, GC-MS analysis was conducted to predict the possible photodegradation pathway of DOX, providing a better understanding of the degradation process. Toxicity of intermediate products was also estimated computationally using the ECOSAR software. The fabricated RBN was further investigated for genotoxicity towards Allium cepa. This study provides new insights into the RBN system for environmental remediation. [Display omitted] • rGO-Bi 2 Sn 2 O 7 -NiFe 2 O 4 were constructed by facile hydrothermal method. • Exhibited excellent photodegradation of DOX (99.1%). • End product did not show toxicity against E. coli and B. subtilis. • The composite did not show genotoxicity towards A. cepa. • Elucidation of end product toxicity was performed using ECOSAR software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focusing at efficient Cefixime (CEFX) removal, a delicate ultrathin-Bi 2 WO 6 (UBWO) stacked quasi-CoFe 2 O 4 binanosheets (BT) were meticulously designed and integrated with spherical MnWO 4 (MWO) and carbon quantum dots (CQDs), forming a n-p-n CQDs@MWO/CFO:UBWO nanohybrid. XRD, XPS, TEM and other systematic analysis demonstrated the vertically aligned layer by layer assembly of UBWO:CFO BT, and a shift in the highly exposed (211) facet of UBWO after nanohybrid formation as well as large surface area (323.33 m2/g) was achieved. UV–vis DRS, PL and EIS proved high separation efficiency, prolonged life time and photogeneration of more charge carriers with absorption of full light spectrum. As expected, the optimized 5 %CQDs@0.25MWO/0.1CFO:UBWO nanohybrid displayed excellent visible light absorption and outstanding CEFX photodegradation whose kinetic constant were 21.11, 12.5, 8.82 folds higher than UBWO, CFO and MWO counterparts. This enhanced photodegradation performance ascribed to the dual strategy as follows: (i) Cascaded charge transfer with the Built-in electric field (BIEF) after n-p-n heterojunction, (ii) the upconverted PL and the electron reservoir properties of CQDs. Degradation efficiency maintained over six consecutive cycles affirming the superior recyclability of the photocatalyst. A possible degradation pathway was proposed based on GC-MS/MS analysis and the end products toxicity were systematically predicted using ECOSAR program. The toxicity of the end product was investigated against bacterial species. The proposed work provides a novel way for the fabrication of efficient photocatalyst with excellent practical applicability. [Display omitted] • UBWO/CFO binanosheets interfaced MWO synergistic with CQDs fabricated via hydrothermal method. • Optimized 5 %CQDs@ 0.25MWO/0.10CFO:UBWO showed high photodegradation efficiency. • Excellent recyclability demonstrated by the cyclic degradation experiments. • •OH and O 2 •- radicals played major role in the photodegradation process. • Non-toxic nature of end product affirmed by ECOSAR and bacterial studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work attempts to construct a highly effective γ-Bi 2 O 3 /CoFe 2 O 4 /Ag visible active photocatalyst for the enhanced degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP) and Cr(VI) reduction. γ-Bi 2 O 3 /CoFe 2 O 4 /Ag photocatalyst was prepared by simple solid phase and co-precipitation methods. The nanosphere shaped CoFe 2 O 4 photocatalyst are embedded on top of γ-Bi 2 O 3 nanotriangle. The addition of Ag into γ-Bi 2 O 3 /CoFe 2 O 4 heterojunction primitively facilitates the photocatalytic activity in higher rate. The quantitative analysis of photocatalyst possesses to have lower e−/h+ recombination rate compared to its counterparts. The prepared γ-Bi 2 O 3 /CoFe 2 O 4 /Ag photocatalyst showed 96.6% degradation of CIP in 220 min and 99.2% reduction of Cr(VI) in 120 min. Additionally, γ-Bi 2 O 3 /CoFe 2 O 4 /Ag showed outstanding recyclability and long-term stability with a degradation efficiency of 96.5% even after six cycles. The intermediate products formed were identified and the degradation pathway was elucidated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Total organic carbon measurement was carried over to assess the efficiency of complete degradation and the removal percentage was found to be 98%. The end product toxicity study towards bacteria was proven to have less toxicity level when compared to parent compound. Lastly, the genotoxicity of γ-Bi 2 O 3 /CoFe 2 O 4 /Ag photocatalyst was tested in Allium cepa and the results confirmed to have no cause of toxicity impacts. Overall, the work not only tends to provide a highly visible active γ-Bi 2 O 3 /CoFe 2 O 4 /Ag photocatalyst, but also attributes to have no further negative imprints in the environment. [Display omitted] • γ-Bi 2 O 3 /CoFe 2 O 4 /Ag photocatalyst was fabricated via solid phase and co-precipitation routes. • The particle exhibited enhanced photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin and Cr(VI) reduction. • The degradation pathway of ciprofloxacin was elucidated by GC-MS/MS analysis. • The photocatalyst possess outstanding recyclability and stability. • Genotoxicity result of photocatalyst was determined by using Allium cepa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ticks are blood‐sucking parasite and transmit pathogens to humans, domestic and wild animals. Ticks are seriously damage the production of sheep and goats, resulting in heavy economic loss to farmers. The present study investigated microscopic and molecular identification of ticks and tick‐borne anaplasmosis infesting sheep and goats in three agro‐ecological zones of Pakistan. The collected ticks were identified at species level based on their morphological features through microscopy by using taxonomic keys. Four Rhipicephalus (R.) species namely: R. guilhoni Rh. geigyi, R. annulatus, R. pulchellus, two Haemaphysalis (Hae) spp. Hae. sulcate, Hae. punctate, one Ixodes ricinus and Hyalomma anatolicum were identified. The morphological variations in their body sizes, scutal pattern, female genital opening, spiracular plate length and male adanal plate were recorded. Furthermore, we assessed the effectiveness of utilizing the 16S rRNA gene sequence to differentiate Anaplasma samples at the species level. Microscopically suspected positive blood samples for Anaplasma were subjected to DNA extraction. Anaplasma was observed in the blood of 14 animals. The sequence similarity between Anaplasma marginale and the reference genome were 99.25%, while below this value indicating a distinct species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed close similarity with A. marginale isolates from Iran, Vietnam and Pakistan This study contributes to the epidemiology of ticks and TBPs in the KP province and highlights the importance of proactive TBP surveillance in livestock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a simple g-C 3 N 4 quantum dots enriched MoO 3 nanohybrid was formulated for the synergistic photocatalytic degradation of an industrially active organic pollutant, p-chlorophenol (PCP) and a widely prescribed antibiotic, rifampicin (RIF). The nanohybrid was synthesised via a facile ultrasonic assisted hydrothermal method and characterized using various characterization analysis. The efficient Z-scheme charge transfer of the nanohybrid resulted in the elimination of 98% PCP and 89% RIF under visible light with a rate constant of 0.012 and 0.006 min−1 respectively. The photocatalysis was attributed to the formation of both hydroxyl (OH•) and superoxide (O 2 •-) radicals in the resulting nanohybrid. The intermediates formed in the course of reaction were estimated through gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy/mass spectroscopy (GC-MS/MS) analysis and a suitable degradation pathway was constructed. The structural stability and reusability of the nanohybrid was affirmed through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis to outweigh the industrial potential of the catalyst, with 85% PCP and 80% RIF removal efficiency after six cycles of degradation. In addition, the mineralization of the pollutants was confirmed by total organic carbon analysis. Further, the toxicity of the drug and the formed intermediates was determined using ecological structure activity relationships (ECOSAR) software. On the whole, this work provides an excellent insight for the development of environment-friendly materials in a large scale for the degradation of water-based pollutants. [Display omitted] • A novel g-C 3 N 4 QDs incorporated MoO 3 catalyst was successfully fabricated. • Superior degradation of about 98% p-chlorophenol and 89% rifampicin was achieved in 330 min. • Led to the mitigation of charge carriers and improved visible light activity. • Porous nature of g-C 3 N 4 QDs facilitated more surface-active sites for efficient adsorption. • Exhibition of Z-scheme mechanism with both.•OH and •O 2 − radicals responsible for photocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals and organic pollutants in a complex composition are of serious environmental and socioeconomic threat which requires an effective remediation technology to address this issue. Herein, we have fabricated a N/S doped iron oxide (Fe 3 O 4) decorated on oxygen vacancy enriched WO 3 nanorods via facile hydrothermal method for a promising visible light driven photocatalytic degradation of doxycycline (DOXY) and hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) reduction. The fabricated photocatalyst were investigated for its physio-chemical, morphological, structural and optical features using several analytical methods including XRD, XPS, SEM, HR-TEM, BET, PL, EIS, DRS and ESR analysis. As expected, the designed nanohybrid exhibited an extraordinary photocatalytic efficiency towards DOXY (0.0210 min−1) and Cr(VI) reduction (0.0219 min−1). The excellent reusability and magnetic property were proved by the six-cycle test and VSM analysis, respectively. The toxicity of the degraded end products were assessed towards the bacterial species. The non-toxic nature of the prepared photocatalysts was investigated by the genotoxicity test against Allium cepa. The oxygen vacancy enrichment and N/S dopant co-modulation contributed to excellent photocatalytic performance of photocatalyst. Here, the prepared photocatalyst was eco-friendly with superior photocatalytic property for large scale application to treat pharmaceutical pollutants present in the water bodies. [Display omitted] • WO 3 @N/S–Fe 3 O 4 nanohybrid fabricated via facile hydrothermal method. • Exhibited superior photodegradation of DOXY (99.8%) and photoreduction of Cr (VI) (98.7%). • The particles exhibited excellent reusability and magnetic property. • Genotoxicity of nanohybrid was performed towards A. cepa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study reports an innovative approach on sunlit driven heterostructure photocatalytic generation of H 2 O 2 and removal of cefixime. In the present work, we have fabricated Mn/Mg doped CoFe 2 O 4 modified CaCr 2 O 4 decorated by Ag 3 PO 4 quantum dots (Ag 3 PO 4 QDs), a p- n -p nano heterojunction. The study promotes the photocatalytic production of H 2 O 2 and self-Fenton photocatalytic degradation of cefixime. Egg white-assisted synthesis of Mn-doped CoFe 2 O 4 causes the lattice oxygen defect, which enhances the photocatalytic activity. Lattice oxygen defect enable the adsorption of O 2 , which enable the conversion of •O2 in the valence band of CoFe 2 O 4 for the endogenous production of H 2 O 2. The higher in the surface area enhance the photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. Mn–CoFe 2 O 4 –CaCr 2 O 4 –Ag 3 PO 4 QDs enables the complete photocatalytic degradation of cefixime (99.9%) and the complete removal was determined by total organic carbon (TOC) removal and it was around 99.4%. Meanwhile the photocatalytic degradation pathway of cefixime was determined by LC-MS/MS. Reusability of the nano heterojunction was determined by six cycle test, and the reusability of the nano heterojunction was 99.8%. Further, the toxicity of the nanomaterial was studied in maize plant and the results shows that the nanoheterojunction enhances the maize growth. The study systematically reveals the robust activity of nano heterojunction for sustainable water treatment. [Display omitted] • The Mn/Mg–CoFe 2 O 4 –CaCr 2 O 4 –Ag 3 PO 4 QDs showed outstanding visible-light photocatalytic activity. • Mn/Mg–CoFe 2 O 4 –CaCr 2 O 4 –Ag 3 PO 4 QDs demonstrates good photostability and reusability. • It showed excellent photocatalytic generation of H 2 O 2 due to its lattice oxygen vacancy. • Self-Fenton induced efficient photocatalytic degradation of cefixime. • Maize plant exposure of nanomaterial shows no detoxification and it induce the plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic induction of electron/hole recombination, surface property and light response ability effectively enhance the photocatalytic activity of nanomaterial. In this work, the effective charge carrier separating Sn/Mn–ZnFe 2 O 4 –CdFe 2 O 4 –Ag 3 PO 4 Quantum dots (M/SZFO–CFO–AP QDs) was fabricated for photocatalytic degradation of doxycycline (doxy) antibiotic. The result showed enhanced photocatalytic activity of doxy and the degradation efficiency of doxy was about 98.8% in short span of time. The calculated WH plot and urbach energy of prepared photocatalyst exhibited evidence for the prevalence of point defects and its contribution to efficient charge separation and transferability. The total organic carbon (TOC) removal was found to be 98.9%, which depicts the complete mineralization of doxy. The synergetic charge transfer of n-p-n heterojunction enables the effective removal of doxy under visible light irradiation. Further, the genotoxicity study was determined by interacting the SZFO–CFO–AP QDs with Allium Cepa. The results depict that SZFO–CFO–AP QDs show lower toxicity level and there were no trace of defective mitotic phases and micro nuclei. Further, the progression and development of bean plant was determined after treating with prepared nanomaterials and the result showed the enhanced growth in SZFO–CFO–AP QDs treated bean plant compared to the counterparts. Therefore, the prepared SZFO–CFO–AP QDs was can be used as an environmental friendly photocatalyst for effective treatment of antibiotic present in the water bodies. [Display omitted] • Enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity for the effective degradation of doxycycline. • Self-Fenton induced efficient photocatalytic degradation of doxycycline. • Enhanced photogeneration of.•OH, •O2 for the effective photodegradation of doxycycline. • An ecofriendly and non-genotoxic material for environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ag NPs were surface-functionalized with citrate and PVP. • Cr(III) complexes with EDTA, acetate, citrate and tartrate were detected. • The nanoprobe was found to be highly selective and sensitive. • Effect of different pH, temperature and ions on detection was investigated. • Detection mechanism was elucidated with the support of characterisation results. Chromium (Cr) is a toxic environmental pollutant that majorly exists in trivalent and hexavalent forms. Though Cr(VI) is more dangerous than Cr(III), the trivalent Cr forms complexes with environmentally-available organic molecules. This makes them potentially harmful and difficult to detect. In this study, we have designed an ultrasensitive plasmonic nanosensor using citrate and PVP functionalized Ag nanoparticles (Ag-citrate-PVPNPs) for the detection of trivalent chromium organic complexes such as Cr(III)-EDTA (Cr-E), Cr(III)-acetate (Cr-A), Cr(III)-citrate (Cr-C) and Cr(III)-tartrate (Cr-T). The nanoparticles (NPs) were structurally characterized by XRD, SEM, HRTEM, SAED, EDX and elemental mapping. The citrate and PVP molecules played a vital role in the detection mechanism and stability of the sensor. Upon detection, the yellow-colored Ag-citrate-PVP NPs turned into different shades of brown depending on the type of the Cr complex and concentration. It was accompanied by diminishing and/or shifting UV–Visible absorbance peaks due to the aggregation of Ag-citrate-PVP NPs. Further, a linear relationship was observed between absorbance reduction and analyte concentration. The selectivity tests showed that the sensor was non-functional to other metal ions and inorganic anions. The sensor was optimized using pH and temperature studies. The mechanism of detection was elucidated with the help of characterization techniques such as Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, XPS and UV–visible spectrophotometer. The limit of detection (LOD) was found to be 3.29, 4.87, 1.76 and 1.79 nM for Cr-E, Cr-A, Cr-C and Cr-T complexes respectively. This study provides a rapid and sensitive approach for the detection of multiple Cr(III)-organic complexes present in an aqueous solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalysis is a reliable technology to treat polluted wastewater. Herein, we report S-scheme photocatalyst namely ZnS/CdS nanocomposites (NCs) with S-vacancies and interstitial defect states, immobilised on the polymer matrix of cellulose and chitosan. It showed significant performance in photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye. Defect sites present in ZnS facilitates charge separation and two-photon excitation concomitantly with a bandgap shift in ZnS/CdS NCs to 2.65 eV and promotes visible light harvesting. XRD analysis demonstrated the highly crystalline nature of the NCs. TEM and SEM were used to observe the crystal phases, particle morphology and defect sites. XPS and EDAX ensured the composition and purity of the synthesized NCs. FTIR displayed the peaks representing the bonds present in metal sulphides and chitosan/cellulose matrix. The photodegradation of RhB by ZnS/CdS NCs reached a maximum of 99.18% in 120 min which displayed 6.8 and 10.25 times higher rate than pure ZnS and CdS respectively. Further, ZnS/CdS NCs was able to achieve the TOC reduction of 86% after the photodegradation of RhB. Defect engineering played a vital role in enhancing the photocatalytic activity of NCs. PL spectra revealed the prolonged life time of photogenerated charge carriers and EIS analysis was used to investigate the charge mobility of the fabricated materials. Superoxide radical was found to be the major radical involved in photodegradation of RhB by NCs. The degradation pathway of RhB was elucidated based on GC-MS/MS analysis. The recyclability of NCs was tested for six consecutive cycles and remarkable stability was observed. The results of in vitro cytotoxicity assay, and cellular reactive oxygen species generation suggest that ZnS/CdS NCs are safety photocatalysts to environment and human being. [Display omitted] S-scheme heterojunction of ZnS/CdS NCs on cellulose/chitosan matrix was fabricated. S-vacancies and interstitial defect states brought in the play of two-photon excitation. This aided bandgap tuning, visible light sensitization and reduced charge recombination. Remarkable Rhodamine B photodegradation of 99.18 % was achieved. In vitro cytotoxicity assay suggested the non-toxic nature of the NCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • L-cys-Ag NPs was sensitive and selective probe for the detection of paracetamol and cadmium. • L-cys-Ag NPs was synthesized by chemical reduction method. • L-cys-Ag NPs can be used in the logic gate on the multicolour detection of cadmium and paracetamol. • L-cys-Ag NPs can be used as an effective tool for the detection of paracetamol in blood. • The limit detection limit of paracetamol and cadmium by NPs was 1.2 nM and 2.82 nM. L-cystine (L-cys) functionalized plasmonic silver nanomaterial (Ag NPs) was fabricated toward the selective and sensitive detection of paracetamol and cadmium. The prepared L-cys-Ag nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses. SEM imaging show that Ag NPs was decorated on the surface of L-cysteine 3D cubic nanosheet. L-cys-Ag NPs showed selective and sensitive detection towards paracetamol and cadmium. The interference study confirms that the presence of other metal ions didn't inhibit the detection of cadmium by L-cys-Ag NPs. The limit of detection of paracetamol and cadmium by L-cys-Ag NPs was calculated to be 1.2 and 2.82 nM respectively. In addition, the real sample detection of paracetamol on blood serum and urine, and cadmium on STP were performed and the recovery percentage was above 97%. Further, the real sample analysis was performed in tap and drinking water and the recovery percentage was more than 98%. The analytic logic gate on the multicolour detection of cadmium and paracetamol was performed for the semi-quantitative monitoring of paracetamol and cadmium by L-cys-Ag NPs. The developed L-cys-Ag NPs were found to be an effective tool for the monitoring of cadmium in environmental water bodies and paracetamol in blood and urine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biosynthesis of nanomaterials using plant extract makes them attractive in the field of photocatalysis as they are environmental friendly. The current study focused on the biosynthesis of ZnO/NiCo 2 S 4 QDs (NCs) using Punica granatum fruit peel extract as the reducing agent. The nanomaterials were characterized with XRD, FTIR, Raman, SEM, TEM, UV–vis DRS, BET, PL, EIS, and ESR analysis and were used for photocatalytic degradation of doxycycline (DOX) and ciprofloxacin (CIP). The bandgap of ZnO is 3.2 eV, and the decoration of NiCo 2 S 4 QDs aids in narrowing the bandgap (2.8 eV), making the NCs visible light active. The fabricated NCs achieved 99 and 89% degradation of DOX and CIP respectively. The photocatalytic efficiency of ZnO/NiCo 2 S 4 QDs was much higher compared to individual ZnO and NiCo 2 S 4 QDs. The half-life period of DOX and CIP were evaluated to be 58 and 152 min respectively. The percentage of TOC removal in the photodegraded product of DOX and CIP was estimated to be 99 and 89% respectively, indicating the mineralization of the compounds. The enhanced photocatalytic efficiency of the NCs was attributed to the narrowed visible light active bandgap, synergistic charge transfer across the interface, and lower charge recombination. The intermediates formed during the photocatalytic degradation of DOX and CIP were analyzed using GC-MS/MS analysis, and the photodegradation pathway was elucidated. Also, the toxicity of the intermediates was computationally analyzed using ECOSAR software. The fabricated ZnO/NiCo 2 S 4 QDs have excellent stability and reusability, confirmed by XRD and XPS analysis. The reusable efficiency of the NCs for the photocatalytic degradation of DOX and CIP were 98.93, and 99.4% respectively. Thus, the biologically fabricated NCs are shown to be an excellent photocatalyst and have wide applications in environmental remediation. [Display omitted] • ZnO/NiCo 2 S 4 QDs photocatalyst was synthesized using P. granatum fruit peel extract. • ZnO/NiCo 2 S 4 QDs showed excellent photocatalytic removal of doxycycline and ciprofloxacin. • The NCs showed excellent stability and reusability. • Photocatalytic mechanism of ZnO/NiCo 2 S 4 QDs and the degradation pathway was proposed. • ZnO/NiCo 2 S 4 QDs can be used as a promising and potential industrial wastewater treatment tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, 3D C 2 S 3 (CS) and 2D Bi 2 S 3 (BS) modified NiCr 2 O 4 nanocomposite (NCO-BS-CS NCs) was prepared by sonochemical assisted co-precipitation method for the enhanced photocatalytic activity. Here, NCO-BS-CS NCs showed band gap energy of 2.23 eV and the PL intensity of NCO-BS-CS NCs was lower than NCO, BS, and CS NPs. Thus, the results indicate the fabricated NCO-BS-CS NCs enhance the charge segregation and lower in recombination rate. NCO-BS-CS NCs showed enhanced photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) (95%) and congo red (CR) (99.7%) respectively. The total organic compound (TOC) analysis shows the complete mineralization of about 91 and 98% for MO and CR respectively. Furthermore, the Fukui function was used for the prediction of reactive sites in the photodegradation pathway of MO and CR by NCs. ECOSAR program was done to determine the toxicity of the intermediate and the results conclude that the degraded product shows nontoxic to the environmental organism (fish, daphnia, and algae). Thus, the fabricated NCO-BS-CS NCs can be used for the remediation of toxic organic pollutants from the waste water by photocatalytic degradation. • NCO-BS-CS NCs was synthesized by sono-chemical coprecipitation method. • The NCO-BS-CS NCs showed outstanding visible-light photocatalytic activity. • NCO-BS-CS NCs demonstrates good photostability and reusability. • The hydroxyl and super oxide radical were responsible for the enhance photocatalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]