Recent advancement in nanomaterials for the detection and removal of uranium: A review

Biomass-derived carbon dots as significant biological tools in the medicinal field: A review

Early disease detection is crucial since it raises the likelihood of treatment and considerably lowers the cost of therapy. Therefore, the improvement of human life and health depends on the development of quick, efficient, and credible biosensing methods. For improving the quality of biosensors, distinct nanostructures have been investigated; among these, carbon dots have gained much interest because of their great performance. Carbon dots, the essential component of fluorescence nanoparticles, having outstanding chemical characteristics, superb biocompatibility, chemical inertness, low toxicity and potential optical characteristics have attracted the researchers from every corner of the globe. Several carbon dots applications have been thoroughly investigated in recent decade, from optoelectronics to biomedical investigations. This review study primarily emphasizes the recent advancements in the field of biomass-derived carbon dots-based drug delivery, gene delivery and bioimaging, and highlights achievements in two major areas: in vivo applications that involve carbon dots absorption in zebrafish and mice, tumour therapeutics, and imaging-guided drug delivery. Additionally, the possible advantages, difficulties, and future possibilities of using carbon dots for biological applications are also explored.

Laser-induced graphene electrochemical sensor for quantitative detection of phytotoxic aluminum ions (Al3+) in soils extracts

Aluminum in its Al3+ form is a metal that inhibits plant growth, especially in acidic soils (pH < 5.5). Rapid and accurate quantitative detection of Al3+ in agricultural soils is critical for the timely implementation of remediation strategies. However, detecting metal ions requires time-consuming preparation of samples, using expensive instrumentation and non-portable spectroscopic techniques. As an alternative, electrochemical sensors offer a cost-effective and minimally invasive approach for in situ quantification of metal ions. Here, we developed and validated an electrochemical sensor based on bismuth-modified laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrodes for Al3+ quantitative detection in a range relevant to agriculture (1-300 ppm). Our results show a linear Al3+ detection range of 1.07-300 ppm with a variation coefficient of 5.3%, even in the presence of other metal ions (Pb2+, Cd2+, and Cu2+). The sensor offers a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.34 ppm and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 1.07 ppm. We compared its accuracy for soil samples with pH < 4.8 to within 89-98% of spectroscopic methods (ICP-OES) and potentiometric titration. This technology's portability, easy to use, and cost-effectiveness make it a promising candidate for in situ quantification and remediation of Al3+ in agricultural soils and other complex matrices.

Global research trends of uranium-containing wastewater treatment based on bibliometric review

The generation of uranium-containing wastewater (UCW) during different stages of uranium mining, processing, and utilization presents a significant ecological and biospheric threat. Consequently, it is crucial for both sustainable development and the protection of human health to adopt appropriate methods for the treatment of UCW as well as the separation and enrichment of uranium. This study conducted a comprehensive search of the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database for publications related to UCW treatment between 1990 and 2022 to gain insight into current trends in the field. Subsequently, the annual publications, WOSCC categories, geographical distribution, major collaborations, prolific authors, influential journals, and highly cited publications were the subjects of a biliometric analysis that was subsequently carried out. The study findings indicate a significant rise in the overall number of publications in the research field between 1990 and 2022. China, India, and the USA emerged as the primary contributors in terms of publication count. The Chinese Academy of Sciences, the East China University of Technology, and the University of South China were identified as the key research institutions in this field. Furthermore, a majority of the publications in this field were distributed through prestigious journals with high impact factors, such as the Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry. The top 3 journals were Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Journal, and Journal of Hazardous Materials. The keyword co-occurrence and burst analysis revealed that the current research on UCW treatment mainly focuses on adsorption-based treatment methods, environmentally functional materials, uranium recovery, etc. Furthermore, the study of the adsorption efficiency of different adsorbent materials, as well as the strengthening and improvement of adsorbent material selectivity and capacity for the recovery of uranium, represents a research hotspot in the field of UCW treatment in the future. This study conducts a comprehensive overview of the current status and prospects of the UCW treatment, which can provide a valuable reference for gaining insights into the development trajectory of the UCW treatment.

Carbon dots as potential candidate for photocatalytic treatment of dye wastewater

Water is the utmost important element for the existence of life. In recent decades, water resources have become highly contaminated by a variety of pollutants, especially toxic dyes that are harmful to both living beings and environment. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop more effective methods than traditional wastewater treatment approaches for treatment of hazardous dyes. Herein, we have addressed the various aspects related to the effective and economically feasible method for photocatalytic degradation of these dyes employing carbon dots. The photocatalysts based on carbon dots including those mediated from biomass have many superiorities over conventional methods such as utilization of economically affordable, non-toxic, rapid reactions, and simple post-processing steps. The current study will also facilitate better insight into the understanding of photocatalytic treatment of dye-polluted wastewater for future wastewater treatment studies. Additionally, the possible mechanistic pathways of photocatalytic dye decontamination, several challenges, and future perspectives have also been summarized.