Effective dye adsorption behavior of poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitin nanofiber/Fe(III) complex

Metal organic framework-based polymeric hydrogel: A promising drug delivery vehicle for the treatment of breast cancer

The constraints associated with current cancer therapies have inspired scientists to develop advanced, precise, and safe drug delivery methods. These delivery systems boost treatment effectiveness, minimize harm to healthy cells, and combat cancer recurrence. To design advanced drug delivery vehicle with these character, in the present manuscript, we have designed a self-healing and injectable hybrid hydrogel through synergistically interacting metal organic framework, CuBTC with the poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). This hybrid hydrogel acts as a localized drug delivery system and was used to encapsulate and release the anticancer drug 5-Fluorouracil selectively at the targeted site in response to the physiological pH. The hydrogel was formed through transforming the gaussian coil like matrix of PVA-CuBTC into a three-dimensional network of hydrogel upon the addition of crosslinker; borax. The biocompatible character of the hydrogel was confirmed through cell viability test. The biocompatible hybrid hydrogel then was used to encapsulate and studied for the pH responsive release behavior of the anti-cancer drug, 5-FU. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the drug-loaded hydrogel was evaluated against MCF-7 and HeLa cells. The study confirms that the hybrid hydrogel is effective for targeted and sustained release of anticancer drugs at cancer sites.

Iron‑calcium dual crosslinked graphene oxide/alginate aerogel microspheres for extraordinary elimination of tetracycline in complex wastewater: Performance, mechanism, and applications

Antibiotics have been considered as a group of emerging contaminants for their stable chemical structure, significant pseudo-persistence, and biological toxicity. Tetracycline (TC), as one of the typical antibiotics frequently detected in environmental media, can cause the dissemination and accumulation of antibiotic resistance gene (ARG), ultimately threatening human health and environmental safety. Herein, a novel iron‑calcium di-crosslinked graphene oxide/alginate (GO/SA-Fe3+-Ca2+) aerogel was facilely synthesized for TC uptake. It was found that the introduction of GO nanosheets and Fe3+ sites into composite enormously enhanced TC removal. Specifically, TC can be stably and efficiently eliminated over the wide pH range of 5-8. The fitted maximum qe with Liu isotherm model at 308 K reached 1664.05 mg/g, surpassing almost all reported sorbents. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model with chemical sorption characteristics better fitted TC adsorption process, which was endothermic and spontaneous in nature. Multifarious adsorptive sites of GO/SA-Fe3+-Ca2+ synergically participated in TC uptake through multi-mechanisms (e.g., π-π EDA, cation-π bonding, H-bonding, Fe3+-coordination, and electrostatic attraction, etc.). The as-prepared composite showed satisfactory TC removal in several runs of adsorption-desorption operations, high salinity, and model aquaculture wastewater. Moreover, the packed-column could continuously run for >200 h until adsorption saturation was achieved with a dynamic adsorption capacity of 216.69 mg/g, manifesting its scale-up engineering applications. All above merits make as-constructed composite an alternative sorbent for eliminating TC from complex wastewater.

Chitin/deacetylated chitin nanocomposite film for effective adsorption of organic pollutant from aqueous solution

Cross-linked chitin/deacetylated chitin nanocomposite films can be considered as a potential industrial adsorbent for the removal of organic pollutants for water purification. Chitin (C) and deacetylated chitin (dC) nanofibers were extracted from raw chitin and characterized using FTIR, XRD and TGA techniques. The TEM image confirmed the formation of chitin nanofibers with a diameter range of 10-45 nm. The deacetylated chitin nanofibers (DDA-46 %) having 30 nm diameter was evidenced using FESEM. Further, the C/dC nanofibers were prepared at different ratios (80/20, 70/30, 60/40 & 50/50 ratios) and cross-linked. The highest tensile strength of 40 MPa and Young's modulus of 3872 MPa was exhibited by 50/50C/dC. The DMA studies revealed that the storage modulus enhanced by 86 % for 50/50C/dC (9.06 GPa) in comparison to 80/20C/dC nanocomposite. Further, the 50/50C/dC exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity of 30.8 mg/g at pH = 4 in 30 mg/L of Methyl Orange (MO) dye within 120 min. The experimental data agreed with pseudo-second-order model indicating chemisorption process. The adsorption isotherm data was best described by Freundlich model. The nanocomposite film is an effective adsorbent can be regenerated and recycled for five adsorption-desorption cycle.

Structuring alginate/dopamine powder into macroscopic aerogel microsphere for exceptional removal of tetracycline from water: Performance and mechanisms

Aerogel was selected as one of IUPAC Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry in 2022, and has attracted tremendous concerns of scientists in removal of emerging contaminants. In this work a novel Fe³⁺ cross-linked alginate aerogel (SA/DA-Fe³⁺) with multiple sorption sites were facilely fabricated and applied for highly efficient removal of tetracycline (TC) from water. Results showed that Fe³⁺ and DA cooperatively improve adsorption of TC and TC was efficiently removed over a broad pH range of 4-8. The kinetics process can be better described by a chemisorption controlled pseudo-second-order kinetics model and Langmuir isotherm equation with characteristics of monolayer coverage. The fitted q_max value of TC at ambient temperature was 804.6 mg g^-1 higher than those of other reported adsorbents. Multiple interactions including π-π EDA, complexation, hydrogen bonding, electrostatic attraction, etc. were involved in adsorption process. Moreover, SA/DA-Fe³⁺ aerogel exhibited satisfactory stability, reusability, and recyclability for consecutive applications. Most importantly, after consecutively running for >1000 h with dynamic sorption capacity over 500 mg g^-1, the packed-column was still not saturated, manifesting its great potentials for treating actual wastewaters. Thus, above superiorities make SA/DA-Fe³⁺ a promising candidate adsorbent for treating TC-containing wastewater.

Preparation of chitosan/sodium alginate/nano cellulose composite for the efficient removal of cadmium (II) cations from wastewater and soil systems

In this study, chitosan/sodium alginate/nano cellulose (CSA-N) nanocomposite hydrogels were prepared using a completely green route and used as sorbents to adsorb Cd²⁺ ions from water and soil systems of an environmental aspect. The sorbents were characterized by FTIR, SEM, and XRD. The influences of initial Cd²⁺ concentration, the presence of nano cellulose, type of the polluted environment, and ionic strength on adsorption and desorption isotherms were investigated. The maximum adsorption capacity of cadmium onto CSA was significantly increased from 2264.9 to 4380.97 μmol/g when the system was changed from soil to water, respectively. While, the maximum adsorption capacity of cadmium onto CSA-N was almost the same in the soil and wastewater systems, i.e., 3419.5 and 3230.3 µmol/g, respectively. The results indicated that Langmuir and Freundlich models provided the best fit for the experimental adsorption data for CSA and CSA-N, respectively. By comparing the amounts of Δq, the difference between adsorption and desorption amounts, the CSA was not economically feasible sorbent at high initial concentrations of Cd²⁺ in the wastewater system, while, CSA-N was demonstrated to be a more efficient adsorbent than CSA for cadmium removal from both the soil and wastewater systems.

Removal of inhibitory furan aldehydes in lignocellulosic hydrolysates via chitosan-chitin nanofiber hybrid hydrogel beads

To obtain fermentable sugars from lignocellulose, various inhibitors, especially furan aldehydes, are usually generated during the pretreatment process. These inhibitors are harmful to subsequent microbial growth and fermentation. In this study, a novel detoxification strategy was proposed to remove 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and furfural while retaining glucose and xylose using self-prepared chitosan-chitin nanofiber hybrid hydrogel beads (C-CNBs). After C-CNBs treatment, the removal rates of HMF and furfural from sugarcane bagasse hydrolysates reached 63.1% and 68.4%, while the loss rates of glucose and xylose were only 6.3% and 8.2%, respectively. Two typical industrial strains grew well in monosaccharide-rich detoxified hydrolysates, with a specific growth rate at least 4.1 times that of undetoxified hydrolysates. Furthermore, adsorption mechanism analysis revealed that the Schiff base reaction and mesopore filling were involved in furan aldehyde adsorption. In total, C-CNBs provide an efficient and practical approach for the removal of furan aldehydes from lignocellulosic hydrolysates.

A comprehensive review on preparation, functionalization and recent applications of nanofiber membranes in wastewater treatment

The direct discharge of significant amounts of polluted water into water bodies causes adverse ecological and human health effects. This severe deterioration in water quality creates significant challenges to meet the growing demand for clean water. Therefore, the world urgently needs environmentally friendly advanced technology to overcome this global crisis. In this regard, nanofiber-based membrane filtration is a promising technique in wastewater remediation because of their huge surface area, extremely porous structure, amenable pore size/pore size distribution, variety of material choices, and flexibility to modification with other functional materials. However, despite their unique properties, fouling, poor mechanical properties, shrinkage, and deformation are major drawbacks of nanofiber membranes for treating wastewater. This review presents a comprehensive overview of nanofiber membranes' fabrication and function in water purification applications as well as providing novel approaches to overcoming/alleviating the mentioned disadvantages. The review first presents nanofiber membrane preparation methods, focusing on electrospinning as a versatile and viable technique alongside discussing the parameters controlling nanofiber morphology. Afterward, the functionalization of nanofiber membranes by combining them with other nanomaterials, such as metal and metal-oxide nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, metal-organic frameworks, and biomolecules, were demonstrated and discussed. In addition, nanofiber membranes functionalized with microorganisms were highlighted. Finally, we introduced and discussed in detail the most relevant and recent advances in nanofiber applications in wastewater treatment in the context of removing different pollutants (e.g., heavy metals, nutrients, radioactive elements, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products, dyes, and pesticides). Moreover, the promising antimicrobial ability of nanofiber membranes in removing microorganisms from wastewater has been fully underscored. We believe this comprehensive review could provide researchers with preliminary data and guide both researchers and producers engaged in the nanofiber membrane industry, letting them focus on the research gaps in wastewater treatment.

Applications of chitin and chitosan based biomaterials for the adsorptive removal of textile dyes from water - A comprehensive review

The presence of pollutants in the water bodies deteriorate the water quality and make it unfit for use. From an environmental perspective, it is essential to develop new technologies for the wastewater treatment and recycling of dye contaminated water. The surface modified chitin and chitosan biopolymeric composites based adsorbents, have an important role in the toxic organic dyes from removal wastewater. The surface modification of biopolymers with various organics and inorganics produces more active sites at the surface of the adsorbent, which enhances dye and adsorbent interaction more reliable. Herein, the work brought in the thought of the application of various chitin and chitosan composites in wastewater remediation and suggested the versatility in composites for the development of rapid, selective and effective removal processes for the detoxification of a variety of organic dyes. It further emphasizes the existing obstruction and impending prediction for the deprivation of dyes via adsorption techniques.

Chitin-psyllium based aerogel for the efficient removal of crystal violet from aqueous solutions

A new alternative aerogel was prepared from low-cost chitin and psyllium biopolymers to adsorb crystal violet (CV) dye from liquid media and possibly treat effluents containing other dyes. The aerogel was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which demonstrated that aerogel has a typical structure of amorphous materials and presented a randomly interconnected porous structure that resembles an open pore network. 2.5 g L^-1 of aerogel was able to remove 86.00% of CV from solutions, and the natural pH of the CV solution was considered the more adequate for adsorption. The pseudo-second-order (PSO) model satisfactorily described the adsorption kinetics, and the Freundlich model was suitable to represent the adsorption equilibrium. The maximum experimental capacity achieved was 227.11 mg g^-1, which indicates that aerogel is very efficient and competitive with several adsorbents. Tests using a simulated effluent showed that aerogel has excellent potential to treat real colored effluents.

Polyvinyl Alcohol/Calcium Carbonate Nanocomposites as Efficient and Cost-Effective Cationic Dye Adsorbents

A novel polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/calcium carbonate-based double-layer cationic dye adsorbent was developed. Polyvinyl alcohol (50 wt %) and calcium carbonate (50 wt %) were used together with borax as a cross-linking agent. The nanocomposite was prepared using only water, without the need for any toxic solvent or hazardous chemical. The final samples were obtained by the solvent casting method. The nanocomposite adsorbent was characterized using a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The adsorption performance on two cationic dyes, i.e., methylene blue and safranin was studied. Dye adsorption was quantified by measuring the nanocomposite swelling, contact time, and dye concentration. Pseudo first-order and pseudo second-order kinetic models as well as intraparticle diffusion model were used to model the adsorption kinetics. Moreover, the isotherm dye adsorption was investigated by Langmuir and Freundlich models. The results revealed that the developed nanocomposite has relatively high adsorption efficiency and short adsorption time and retains its performance after several successive absorption–desorption processes. The results also showed that the pseudo-second-order model best describes the adsorption kinetics, and the Freundlich isotherm model has a better compatibility with the experimental data. Finally, an adsorption mechanism was proposed for the dye removal process. The developed PVA/CaCO₃ nanocomposite can be potentially used for efficient dye removal in wastewater treatments.