An innovative combination of electrochemical and photocatalytic processes for decontamination of bisphenol A endocrine disruptor form aquatic phase: Insight into mechanism, enhancers and bio-toxicity assay

Nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide/schwertmannite nanocomposites as heterogeneous photo-Fenton catalysts with enhanced efficiency for the degradation of bisphenol A

Potential health risks related to environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs) have aroused research hotspots at the forefront of water treatment technologies. Herein, nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide/schwertmannite nanocomposites (N-TiO2/SCH) have been successfully developed as heterogeneous catalysts for the degradation of typical EEDs via photo-Fenton processes. Due to the sustainable Fe(III)/Fe(II) conversion induced by photoelectrons, as-prepared N-TiO2/SCH nanocomposites exhibit much enhanced efficiency for the degradation of bisphenol A (BPA; ca. 100% within 60 min under visible irradiation) in a wide pH range of 3.0-7.8, which is significantly higher than that of the pristine schwertmannite (ca. 74.5%) or N-TiO2 (ca. 10.8%). In this photo-Fenton system, the efficient degradation of BPA is mainly attributed to the oxidation by hydroxyl radical (•OH) and singlet oxygen (1O2). Moreover, the possible catalytic mechanisms and reaction pathway of BPA degradation are systematically investigated based on analytical and photoelectrochemical analyses. This work not only provides a feasible means for the development of novel heterogeneous photo-Fenton catalysts, but also lays a theoretical foundation for the potential application of mineral-based materials in wastewater treatment.

Sustainable degradation of pollutants, generation of electricity and hydrogen evolution via photocatalytic fuel cells: An Inclusive Review

Environmental pollution and energy crisis have recently become one of the major global concerns. Insincere discharge of massive amount of organic and inorganic wastes into the aqueous bodies causes serious impact on our environment. However, these organic substances are significant sources of carbon and energy that could be sustainably utilized rather than being discarded. Photocatalytic fuel cell (PFC) is a smart and novel energy conversion device that has the ability to achieve dual benefits: degrading the organic contaminants and simultaneously generating electricity, thereby helping in environmental remediation. This article presents a detailed study of the recent advancements in the development of PFC systems and focuses on the fundamental working principles of PFCs. The degradation of various common organic and inorganic contaminants including dyes and antibiotics with simultaneous power generation and hydrogen evolution has been outlined. The impact of various operational factors on the PFC activity has also been briefly discussed. Moreover, it provides an overview of the design guidelines of the different PFC systems that has been developed recently. It also includes a mention of the materials employed for the construction of the photo electrodes and highlights the major limitations and relevant research scopes that are anticipated to be of interest in the days to come. The review is intended to serve as a handy resource for researchers and budding scientists opting to work in this area of PFC devices.

Molecular consequences of the exposure to toxic substances for the endocrine system of females

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are common in the environment and in everyday products such as cosmetics, plastic food packaging, and medicines. These substances are toxic in small doses (even in the order of micrograms) and enter the body through the skin, digestive or respiratory system. Numerous studies confirm the negative impact of EDCs on living organisms. They disrupt endocrine functions, contributing to the development of neoplastic and neurological diseases, as well as problems with the circulatory system and reproduction. EDCs affect humans and animals by modulating epigenetic processes that can lead to disturbances in gene expression or failure and even death. They also affect steroid hormones by binding to their receptors as well as interfering with synthesis and secretion of hormones. Prenatal exposure may be related to the impact of EDCs on offspring, resulting in effects of these substances on the ovaries and leading to the reduction of fertility through disturbances in the function of steroid receptors or problems with steroidogenesis and gametogenesis. Current literature indicates the need to continue research on the effects of EDCs on the female reproductive system. The aim of this review was to identify the effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on the female reproductive system and their genetic effects based on recent literature.

Prospecting carbon-based nanomaterials for the treatment and degradation of endocrine-disrupting pollutants

The presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in water resources has significant negative implications for the environment. Traditional technologies implemented for water treatment are not completely efficient for removing EDCs from water. Therefore, research on sustainable remediation has been mainly directed to novel decontamination approaches including nano-remediation. This emerging technology employs engineered nanomaterials to clean up the environment quickly, efficiently, and sustainably. Thus, nanomaterials have contributed to a wide variety of remediation techniques like adsorption, filtration, coagulation/flocculation, and so on. Among the vast diversity of decontamination technologies catalytic advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) outstand as simple, clean, and efficient alternatives. A vast diversity of catalysts has been developed demonstrating high efficiencies; however, the search for novel catalysts with enhanced performances continues. In this regard, nanomaterials used as nanocatalysts are exhibiting enhanced performances on AOPs due to their special nanostructures and larger specific surface areas. Therefore, in this review we summarize, compare, and discuss the recent advances on nanocatalysts, catalysts doped with metal-based nanomaterials, and catalysts doped with carbon-based nanomaterials on the degradation of EDCs. Finally, further research opportunities are identified and discussed to achieve the real application of nanomaterials to efficiently degrade EDCs from water resources.

Ultrasound-engineered synthesis of WS2@CeO2 heterostructure for sonocatalytic degradation of tylosin

The main aim of the present investigation was the intercalation of WS₂ nanosheets in the structure of ceria (CeO₂) to be used for the efficient catalytic destruction of tylosin (TYL) as a macrolide antibiotic in water. As-synthesized heterostructured catalyst was placed in a sono-reactor (40 kHz and 300 W) in order to degrade TYL through the sonocatalysis. 15 wt% WS₂/CeO₂ was chosen for performing the systematic experiments. Decreasing the concentration of TYL, along with increasing the WS₂/CeO₂ dosage led to reduced degradation efficiency. The water hardness was demonstrated to be a suppressive agent on the sonocatalysis of the target pollutant. As-generated holes, OH, and also O₂^- were responsible for the degradation of TYL. Increasing the ultrasound power and operating temperature enhanced the degradation efficiency. The degradation rate boosted up when the temperature was raised from 10 °C (0.0107 1/min) to 40 °C (0.0165 1/min). Moreover, the lowest activation energy (E_a) for sonocatalytic degradation was obtained as 10.81 kJ/mol. The sonocatalytic activity of WS₂/CeO₂ in the sono-reactor encountered insignificant change within five consecutive operational runs (~15% reduction). The mechanism and pathways of the sonocatalytic decomposition of TYL are also proposed.

Stone cutting industry waste-supported zinc oxide nanostructures for ultrasonic assisted decomposition of an anti-inflammatory non-steroidal pharmaceutical compound

Powdered stone waste (PSW) obtained from a stone cutting industrial unit was applied as support for the immobilization of nano-sized ZnO to be utilized as an effective catalyst for the catalytic conversion of acetaminophen (ACE) under ultrasonication. The incorporation of ZnO nanostructures into PSW structure enhanced the specific surface area and pore volume of the as-prepared nanocompound. The change in the value of zero point of charge (pH_zpc) of the PSW after being covered also demonstrated the good immobilization and distribution of ZnO nanostructures on the surface of PSW. The sonocatalysis of ACE over ZnO/PSW followed pseudo-first order kinetic (reaction rate of 2.27 × 10^-2 1/min). The highest degradation efficiency of 98.1% was attained when the ZnO/PSW-contained sono-reactor was irradiated by UVC light. The presence of t-butanol led to the lowest degradation efficiency (57.7%), indicating that the sonocatalytic conversion of ACE was hydroxyl radical (OH)-dependent. Although the mineralization efficiency of ACE by the process was not excellent, bio-toxicity assessment on the effluent revealed decreasing the inhibition percent from 50.8 to 16.7% within reaction time of 240 min.

Comparison of four test methods for toxicity evaluation of typical toxicants in petrochemical wastewater on activated sludge

The shock impact of toxic pollutants in petrochemical wastewater on the activated sludge in biological treatment system is a key factor restricting the treatment efficiency. It is necessary to evaluate the toxicity of these pollutants by appropriate methods. In this study, four test methods were used to evaluate the toxicity of characteristic organic pollutants in petrochemical wastewater including 2,4-dichlorophenol, formaldehyde and pyridine, as well as one frequently-used reference toxicant 3,5-dichlorophenol. The sensitivity, accuracy and response time were compared among these methods: the oxygen consumption rate inhibition method (OCRIM), the dehydrogenase activity inhibition method (DAIM), the nitrification rate inhibition method (NRIM) and the growth rate inhibition method (GRIM). Principal component analysis was used to evaluate the correlation among the results of different methods. The OCRIM was comprehensively outstanding with the highest correlation between concentration and inhibition ratio (R² values were all higher than 0.9854), good sensitivity, best accuracy (error value of the effective concentrations below 0.15 mg/l) and fastest response (<40 min). The sensitivity of the NRIM was found to be the highest in this study (10% effective inhibition concentration (EC₁₀) value of 3,5-dichlorophenol was only 0.03 mg/l). Therefore, combined tests of OCRIM and NRIM were suggested.