Synthesis and applications of biomass-derived porous carbon materials in energy utilization and environmental remediation

Renewable biomass and its waste are considered among the most promising applications materials owing to the depletion of fossil fuel and concerns about environmental pollution. Notably, advanced porous carbon materials derived from carbon-rich biomass precursors exhibit controllable pore structures, large surface areas, natural microstructures, and abundant functional groups. In addition, these three-dimensional structures provide sufficient reaction sites and fascinating physicochemical properties that are conducive to heteroatom doping and functional modification. This review systematically summarizes the design methods and related mechanisms of biomass-derived porous carbon materials (BDPCMs), discusses how the synthesis conditions influence the structure and performance of the carbon material, and emphasizes the importance of its use in energy utilization and environmental remediation applications. Current BDPCMs challenges and future development strategies are finally discussed to provide systematic information for further synthesis and performance optimization, which are expected to lead to novel ideas for the future development of bio-based carbon materials.

Interactions between puerarin/daidzein and micellar casein

Puerarin (PUE) and daidzein (DAI) are polyphenols with extensive biological activities. In the present study, the interactions between PUE/DAI and micellar casein (MC) were investigated, and the physicochemical properties of their complexes were analyzed. The results of fluorescence spectrum analysis and molecular docking revealed that the main interactions between DAI and MC were hydrophobic forces, while that between PUE and MC was hydrogen bonding. The FTIR and XRD analyses confirmed the formation of complexes between MC and PUE/DAI. After binding to PUE/DAI, the size of MC increased. The weight loss rate of MC decreased after complexing with PUE/DAI, but its morphology was not extensively modified. The DPPH radical scavenging capacities of PUE-MC and DAI-MC complexes were higher than those of free PUE/DAI in both water and ethanol. In vitro release experiments showed that the release rate of PUE/DAI was inhibited by MC under simulated intestinal conditions. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The low water solubility and poor bioavailability of PUE and DAI limit their application. Micellar casein has high affinity for PUE and DAI. After encapsulated by micellar casein, the release rates of PUE and DAI were prolonged during simulated intestinal digestion. The results would provide useful information for improving the solubility and bioavailability of PUE and DAI, and broadening the use of them in the food and pharmaceutical industry.