TiO2 nanoparticles and C-Nanofibers modified magnetic Fe3O4 nanospheres (TiO2@Fe3O4@C-NF): A multifunctional hybrid material for magnetic solid-phase extraction of ibuprofen and photocatalytic degradation of drug molecules and azo dye

Implications of analytical nanoscience in pharmaceutical and biomedical fields: A critical view

This review summarizes recent progress performed in the design and application of analytical tools and methodologies using nanomaterials for pharmaceutical analysis, and specifically new nanomedicines at distinct phases of development and translation from preclinical to clinical stages. Over the last 10-15 years, a growing number of studies have utilized various nanomaterials, including carbon-based, metallic nanoparticles, polymeric nanomaterials, materials based on biological molecules, and composite nanomaterials as tools for improving the analysis of pharmaceutical products. New and more complex nanomaterials are currently being explored to influence different stages of the analytical process. These materials provide unique properties to support the extraction of analytes in complex samples, increase the selectivity and efficiency of chromatographic separations, and improve the analytical properties of many sensor applications. Indeed, nanomaterials, including electrochemical detection approaches and biosensing, are expanding at a remarkable rate. Furthermore, the analytical performance of numerous approaches to determine drugs in different matrices can be significantly improved in terms of precision, detection limits, selectivity, and time of analysis. However, the quality control and metrological characterization of the currently synthesized nanomaterials still depend on the development of new and improved analytical methodologies, and the application of specific and improved instrumentation. Therefore, there is still much to explore about the properties of nanomaterials which need to be determined even more precisely and accurately.

Blending polydopamine-derived imprinted polymers with rice straw-based fluorescent carbon dots for selective detection and adsorptive removal of ibuprofen

Dual-functioning probes capable of detecting and removing hazardous substances have recently received increased attention compared to exclusive sensory probes. Herein, a new composite is synthesized by blending polydopamine imprinted polymers with fluorescent carbon dots (PIP-FCDs) for the selective recognition and adsorption of Ibuprofen (IBF). IBF is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and is excessively released in the pharmaceutical wastes. The PIP-FCDs consist of confined pockets for encasing IBF and quenches fluorescence signal when contact with the molecule. PIP-FCDs show high sensitivity (limit of detection = 1.58 × 10-5 μM) and selectivity towards IBF in the presence of other pharmaceutical drugs i.e., aspirin, ketoprofen, norfloxacin, and levofloxacin. The adsorption studies show an adsorption capacity of 209.8 mg g-1 with an extraction efficiency of around 99.9 %. Furthermore, PIP-FCDs are utilized to determine IBF levels in various aqueous pharmaceutical samples. This development provides a simple and dual-functioning probe for the detection and adsorption of IBF from various matrices.

Innovative Solid-Phase Extraction Strategies for Improving the Advanced Chromatographic Determination of Drugs in Challenging Biological Samples

In the past few decades, considerable scientific strides have been made in the subject of drug analysis in human biological samples. However, the risk caused by incorrect drug plasma levels in patients still remains an important concern. This review paper attempts to investigate the advances made over the last ten years in common sample preparation techniques (SPT) for biological samples based on solid sorbents, including solid-phase extraction (SPE) and solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME), and in particular in the field of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), including non-stimuli-responsive and stimuli-responsive adsorbents. This class of materials is known as 'smart adsorbents', exhibiting tailored responses to various stimuli such as magnetic fields, pH, temperature, and light. Details are provided on how these advanced SPT are changing the landscape of modern drug analysis in their coupling with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analytical techniques, a general term that includes high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), as well as any variation of MS, such as tandem (MS/MS), multiple-stage (MSn), and high-resolution (HRMS) mass spectrometry. Some notes are also provided on coupling with less-performing techniques, such as high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) and diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) detection. Finally, we provide a general review of the difficulties and benefits of the proposed approaches and the future prospects of this research area.

Metallic nanoparticles and photosynthesis organisms: Comprehensive review from the ecological perspective

This review presents a comprehensive analysis of the ecological implications of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) on photosynthetic organisms, particularly plants and algae. We delve into the toxicological impacts of various MNPs, including gold, silver, copper-based, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide nanoparticles, elucidating their effects on the growth and health of these organisms. The article also summarizes the toxicity mechanisms of these nanoparticles in plants and algae from previous research, providing insight into the cellular and molecular interactions that underpin these effects. Furthermore, it discusses the reciprocal interactions between different types of MNPs, their combined effects with other metal contaminants, and compares the toxicity between MNPs with their counterpart. This review highlights the urgent need for a deeper understanding of the environmental impact, considering their escalating use and the potential risks they pose to ecological systems, especially in the context of photosynthetic organisms that are vital to ecosystem health and stability.

Magnetic Covalent Organic Framework for Efficient Solid-Phase Extraction of Uranium for on-Site Determination by Portable X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

Uranium plays a pivotal role in the nuclear industry; however, its inadvertent release has raised concerns regarding health and environmental implications. It is crucial for a prompt warning and accurate tracing of uranium contamination in emergency scenarios. In this study, a novel and simple method was proposed that combines magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction (MDSPE) with portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) for the on-site sampling and determination of trace uranium in real samples. A magnetic covalent organic framework (Fe3O4@COF) composite with excellent chemical stability and a large adsorption capacity of 311 mg/g was synthesized and employed as an efficient adsorbent for the solid-phase extraction of trace uranium. Without the need for a centrifuge or filter requirement, the established method by benchtop wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (WDXRF) exhibits an exceptionally low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.008 μg/L with a sample volume of 50 mL and a fast adsorption time of 15 min, rendering it suitable for environmental monitoring of UO22+. Consequently, this approach, in combination with a hand-held portable XRF instrument with an LOD of 0.1 μg/L, was successfully implemented for the on-site extraction and quality assessment of real water samples, yielding accurate results and satisfactory spike recoveries.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the environment: Recent updates on the occurrence, fate, hazards and removal technologies

Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are extensively utilized pharmaceuticals worldwide. However, owing to the improper discharge and disposal practices, they have emerged as significant contaminants that are widely distributed in water, soils, and sewage sediments. This ubiquity poses a substantial threat to the ecosystem and human health. Consequently, it is imperative to develop rapid, cost-effective, efficient and reliable approaches for containing these substance in order to mitigate the deleterious impact of NSAIDs. This research provides a comprehensive review of the occurrence, fate, and hazards associated with NSAIDs in the general environment. Additionally, various removal technologies, including advanced oxidation processes, biodegradation, and adsorption, were systematically summarized. The study also presents a comparative analysis of the benefits and drawbacks of different removal technologies while interpreting challenges related to NSAIDs' removal and proposing strategies for future development.

Application of magnetic solid-phase extraction for sensitive determination of anticancer drugs in urine by means of diamino benzidine tetrachlorohydrate modified magnetic nanoparticles

BACKGROUND

The analysis of drug active molecules and residues in the treatment of cancer is important for the sustainability of human life and therapeutic effects. For this purpose, a new magnetic sorbent was developed to use in solid phase extraction prior to conventional high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of Paclitaxel (PAC) and Gemcitabine (GEM) molecules.

METHODS

In this study, a separation and pre-concentration approach based on magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) was proposed for PAC and GEM by means of using a newly synthesized magnetic sorbent. After the MSPE procedure, an HPLC system with a diode array detector (DAD) was used to analyze trace amounts of PAC and GEM anticarcinogenic drugs in urine samples. Surface modification of magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was carried out by diaminobenzidinetetrachloro hydrate (DABTC) for the first time and a useful sorbent was obtained for MSPE experiments.

RESULTS

In the proposed method, PAC and GEM molecules were retained on the c in the presence of a pH 5.0 medium and desorbed to 300 μL of acetonitrile: methyl alcohol (1:1) eluent phase before HPLC-DAD analysis. Under the optimized conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) values for PAC and GEM were 1.38 and 1.44 ng mL^-1 while the enhancement factor for PAC and GEM were 139.5 and 145.3, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSD %) for PAC and GEM were below 3.50% in inter-day repeated experiments by means of model solutions containing 100 ng mL^-1 drug active ingredients.

CONCLUSIONS

Synthesis and characterization of DABTC-Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were performed using suitable methodologies. Optimization of MSPE was done step by step. And finally, the developed method was successfully applied to urine samples with quantitative recoveries in the range of 99.0% and 105.0%.

Dispersive solid-phase extraction of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in water and urine samples using a magnetic ionic liquid hypercrosslinked polymer composite

In this work, Friedel-Crafts alkylation was successfully applied to prepare a magnetic ionic liquid hypercrosslinked polymer composite (Fe₃O₄@IL-HCP), which was subsequently employed as magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) adsorbent for the isolation and enrichment of trace non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The developed composite was comprehensively characterized using various techniques, with the results indicating that it possessed high saturation magnetization (39.44 em g ^- 1), large specific surface area (175 m²g ^- 1), and high adsorption capacity for NSAIDs. The adsorption behavior and mechanisms were also investigated in detail. NSAIDs were adsorbed onto the Fe₃O₄@IL-HCP sorbent via a heterogeneous multilayer process consisting of hydrogen bonding and π-π and electrostatic interactions. Additionally, the composite's large surface area and multiple active sites enabled extraction equilibrium within 6 min. By coupling with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the developed MSPE/HPLC method was applied for the determination of selected NSAIDs in water and urine samples. The developed method displayed wide linear ranges, low limits of detection (0.12-0.30 ng mL^-1 and 0.15-1.5 ng mL^-1 in water and urine samples, respectively), sufficient recoveries (92.8-109%), and good precision (relative standard deviations ≤ 4.6%). Thus, the findings of this work provide an appealing alternative for the extraction and determination of trace NSAIDs in environmental water and biological samples.

Rational Integration of ZIF-8 and BiPO4 for Energy Storage and Environmental Applications

Environmental pollution and energy storage are among the most pivotal challenges of today's world. The development of multifunctional materials is required to address these challenges. Our study presents the rational design and synthesis of a hybrid material (ZIF-8@BiPO₄) with dual functionality: an outstanding supercapacitor electrode and an excellent photocatalyst. The ZIF-8@BiPO₄ hybrid structure was obtained by conjoining zinc ions and 2-methylimidazole ligands toward BiPO₄ by a one-pot stirring route at room temperature. The ZIF-8@BiPO₄ resulted in considerably higher specific capacitance (Cs) (489 F g^-1 at a scan rate of 5 mV s^-1; 497 F g^-1 at a current density of 1 A g^-1) than that of pure BiPO₄ (358; 443 F g^-1) and ZIF-8 (185; 178 F g^-1) under the same conditions in a three-electrode cell using the 2 M KOH aqueous electrolyte. Afterward, an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) device was fabricated with BiPO₄ as the anode and ZIF-8@BiPO₄ as the cathodes, acquiring an outstanding Cs of 255 F g^-1 at a current density of 0.5 A g^-1 with significant cycling stability (81% over 10,000 cycles). Moreover, the ASC has an energy density of 17.5 Wh kg^-1and a power density of 13,695 W kg^-1, which can be considered to be at the borderline between batteries and supercapacitors. The photocatalytic activity of ZIF-8@BiPO₄ was further studied using a methylene blue (MB) dye and sildenafil citrate (SC) drug-active molecules. The degradation of MB was approximately 78% through the photocatalytic reduction after 180 min of UV irradiation. The outstanding characteristics together with the ecofriendly and low-cost preparation make ZIF-8@BiPO₄ appealing for a broad range of applications.

A review of the modern principles and applications of solid-phase extraction techniques in chromatographic analysis

Analytical processes involving sample preparation, separation, and quantifying analytes in complex mixtures are indispensable in modern-day analysis. Each step is crucial to enriching correct and informative results. Therefore, sample preparation is the critical factor that determines both the accuracy and the time consumption of a sample analysis process. Recently, several promising sample preparation approaches have been made available with environmentally friendly technologies with high performance. As a result of its many advantages, solid-phase extraction (SPE) is practiced in many different fields in addition to the traditional methods. The SPE is an alternative method to liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), which eliminates several disadvantages, including many organic solvents, a lengthy operation time and numerous steps, potential sources of error, and high costs. SPE advanced sorbent technology reorients with various functions depending on the structure of extraction sorbents, including reversed-phase, normal-phase, cation exchange, anion exchange, and mixed-mode. In addition, the commercial SPE systems are disposable. Still, with the continual developments, the restricted access materials (RAM) and molecular imprinted polymers (MIP) are fabricated to be active reusable extraction cartridges. This review will discuss all the theoretical and practical principles of the SPE techniques, focusing on packing materials, different forms, and performing factors in recent and future advances. The information about novel methodological and instrumental solutions in relation to different variants of SPE techniques, solid-phase microextraction (SPME), in-tube solid-phase microextraction (IT-SPME), and magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) is presented. The integration of SPE with analytical chromatographic techniques such as LC and GC is also indicated. Furthermore, the applications of these techniques are discussed in detail along with their advantages in analyzing pharmaceuticals, biological samples, natural compounds, pesticides, and environmental pollutants, as well as foods and beverages.

Functionalized magnetic nanostructured composites and hybrids for photocatalytic elimination of pharmaceuticals and personal care products

Due to rapid urbanization and globalization, an enormous use of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) has resulted their excessive release in water bodies leading to several environmental issues. This release into the environment takes place via household sewage, hospital effluents, manufacturing units and landfill sites etc. The pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are recently listed as emerging contaminants having many adverse effects towards aquatic life, human beings, and the whole ecosystem. The alarming threats of PPCPs demand efficient methods to cope up their hazardous impacts. The conventional wastewater remediations are not specifically designed for the removal of PPCPs and hence, they require advanced technologies and materials for their elimination to ensure water safety. Among various methods employed so far, photocatalysis is considered to be one of the most cost effective and eco-friendly method but it requires a suitable candidate as a photocatalyst. Thanks to the magnetic nanocomposites which have improved the limitations (poor stability, agglomeration, and difficult separation, etc.) of classically used nanomaterials. Magnetic nanocomposites contain at least one component having magnetic properties making their separation easy from the aqueous media after the photodegradation phenomenon. These can be further functionalized with other materials to obtain maximum advantage as photocatalyst. Few examples of such functionalized nanocomposites are inorganic material based magnetic nanocomposites, carbon based magnetic nanocomposites, biomaterial based magnetic nanocomposites, metal-organic framework based magnetic nanocomposites and polymer based magnetic nanocomposites etc. This review covers the global environmental issue of water pollution especially with respect to the PPCPs, their occurrence in aqueous environment and toxic effects on living beings. A comprehensive discussion of the recently reported functionalized magnetic nanocomposites for the photocatalytic removal of PPCPs from water is the main aim of this review. The synthetic/morphological approaches of various functionalized magnetic composites and their mechanism of action are also elaborated. The possible research challenges in the field of magnetic nanocomposites and future research directions are discussed to apply magnetic nanocomposites for wastewater treatment in near future.

Nanoclay- and TiO2 Nanoparticle-Modified Poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) Hydrogels: A Multifunctional Material for Application in Photocatalytic Degradation and Adsorption-Based Removal of Organic Contaminants

In recent times, access to clean water has become increasingly difficult and one of the most important problems for the sustainability of life due to environmental pollution. Based on this thought, in this study, a multifunctional hydrogel nanocomposite (nanoclay@TiO₂@PNVP) containing linear poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) (PNVP), nanoclay, and TiO₂ nanoparticles was synthesized and used as an adsorbent and photocatalyst for the adsorption-based and photocatalytic degradation-based removal of organic and pharmaceutical pollutants such as methylene blue (MB) and sildenafil citrate (SLD). The modification of the hydrogel with TiO₂ nanoparticles and nanoclay aimed to increase the adsorption capacity of the PNVP hydrogel as well as to gain photocatalytic properties for the effective removal of organic contaminants. This hybrid material, which can be cleaned in two different ways, can be reused and recycled at least 10 times. Characterization studies were carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermogravimetry, and viscosimetry techniques. Optimization studies for the adsorption-based removal of organic contaminants were carried out on MB and SLD as model organic compounds. The optimum parameters for MB were found at pH 10 of the sample solution when 50 mg of the nanoclay@TiO₂@PNVP hydrogel nanocomposite was used for 420 min of contact time. It was observed that 99% of the MB was photocatalytically degraded within 150 min at pH 10. Our material had multifunctional applicability properties, showing high adsorption and photocatalytic performances over 99% for at least 10 times of use. For the removal of organic and pharmaceutical contaminants from wastewater, the synthesized material can be used in two treatment processes separately or in combination in one step, providing an important advantage for its usability in environmental applications.

g-C3N4@TiO2@Fe3O4 Multifunctional Nanomaterial for Magnetic Solid-Phase Extraction and Photocatalytic Degradation-Based Removal of Trimethoprim and Isoniazid

In this period when environmental pollution has become uncontrollable, the removal of drug active substances reaching the environment and the analysis of drug active substances in different matrix environments are important for both living life and a sustainable environment. Therefore, the production of multifunctional materials that can be used in these two different processes has gained importance in the literature. Based on this thought, in this study, a g-C₃N₄@TiO₂@Fe₃O₄ multifunctional nanohybrid material was synthesized and used for magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) and photocatalytic degradation of trimethoprim and isoniazid, used together in tuberculosis treatment. All analyses were performed by high-performance liquid chromatography using a diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) system. The synthesized material was characterized by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method, ζ-potential analysis, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Important analytical parameters for the MSPE method such as the pH value of the sample solution, the volume of the sample solution, the amount of the sorbent, the type and volume of the elution solvent, and extraction time were optimized. The optimized MSPE method was then applied to different environmental waters and pharmaceutical samples. The recovery percentages for these samples were found to be between 95 and 107%. For trimethoprim and isoniazid, the limit of detections (LODs) were 0.055 and 0.145 and the limit of quantifications (LOQs) were 0.167 and 0.439 ng·mL^-1, respectively. It was observed that ∼100% of trimethoprim and isoniazid active components were photocatalytically removed from the g-C₃N₄@TiO₂@Fe₃O₄ nanohybrid material in ∼120 min under UV light.

Application of Fe3O4@CNFs combined with deep eutectic solvent-based dual microextraction: a novel and green strategy for rapid determination of pesticides in edible oil samples

A novel, green, and effective strategy employing Fe₃O₄-modified carbon nanofibers (CNFs) combined with deep eutectic solvent (DES) is proposed as an extraction agent to extract five pesticides in edible oil samples via dual microextraction modes, followed by high-performance liquid chromatography for determination. The Fe₃O₄@CNFs nanomaterial and a sequence of hydrophilic DES were prepared at first and then characterized by multiple techniques. Subsequently, the extraction performance of DES and Fe₃O₄@CNFs-DES was compared and Fe₃O₄@CNFs-DES exhibited better extraction ability. After that, several influencing parameters such as the composition of DES, the amount of Fe₃O₄@CNFs-DES, the dispersion methods, and the extraction time were investigated and optimized. Eventually, Fe₃O₄@CNFs as the solid adsorbent combined with tetrabutylammonium chloride-lactic acid-based DES as the extraction solvent were selected to extract target pesticides from oil samples. The established method received good linearity in the range 25-1000 ng·g^-1. The limits of detection for all analytes were in the range 2.25-7.50 ng·mL^-1. Satisfactory recoveries of target pesticides were obtained (ranging from 82 to 117%) with a relative standard deviation of 0.26-9.46%. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the rapid detection of target pesticides in oil samples, demonstrating its great potential for quick screening and analysis.

Recent Advances in Endocrine Disrupting Compounds Degradation through Metal Oxide-Based Nanomaterials

Endocrine Disrupting Compounds (EDCs) comprise a class of natural or synthetic molecules and groups of substances which are considered as emerging contaminants due to their toxicity and danger for the ecosystems, including human health. Nowadays, the presence of EDCs in water and wastewater has become a global problem, which is challenging the scientific community to address the development and application of effective strategies for their removal from the environment. Particularly, catalytic and photocatalytic degradation processes employing nanostructured materials based on metal oxides, mainly acting through the generation of reactive oxygen species, are widely explored to eradicate EDCs from water. In this review, we report the recent advances described by the major publications in recent years and focused on the degradation processes of several classes of EDCs, such as plastic components and additives, agricultural chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products, which were realized by using novel metal oxide-based nanomaterials. A variety of doped, hybrid, composite and heterostructured semiconductors were reported, whose performances are influenced by their chemical, structural as well as morphological features. Along with photocatalysis, alternative heterogeneous advanced oxidation processes are in development, and their combination may be a promising way toward industrial scale application.

Elucidation of a mechanism for the heterogeneous electro-fenton process and its application in the green treatment of azo dyes

Vast efforts are directed today toward the development of efficient, green methods for the degradation of toxic compounds, especially those that are water-soluble. Though Fenton reactions are commonly used in wastewater treatment, their mechanisms and the active species involved remain obscure due to their mechanistic complexity. In this work, the mechanism of an electro-Fenton reaction, in which a FeLaO₃ catalyst was entrapped in a sol-gel matrix, was studied in the presence of azo dyes as the model for toxic compounds. Increased knowledge about this important mechanism will confer greater control over related processes and enable a more efficient and green degradation method. DFT calculations showed that in the presence of Fe(IV), OH are formed under acidic conditions and that both the iron and hydroxyl species function as oxidation reagents in the degradation process. The structure of the formed Fe(IV) embedded in the solid matrix was not the typical tetravalent structure. Entrapment in the sol-gel matrix stabilized the catalyst, enhanced its efficiency and enabled it to be recycled. Sol-gel matrices constitute a simple method for the degradation of stable and toxic compounds under extreme pH conditions. The findings of this study are highly significant for the treatment of typically acidic wastewaters.

Recent advances in magnetic carbon nanotubes: synthesis, challenges and highlighted applications

Magnetic carbon nanotubes (MCNTs), consisting of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), have enormous exploration and application potentials due to their superior physical and chemical properties, such as unique magnetism and high enrichment performance. This review concentrates on the rapid advances in the synthesis and application of magnetic carbon nanotubes. Great progress has been made in the preparation of MCNTs by developing methods including chemical vapor deposition, pyrolysis procedure, sol-gel process, template-based synthesis, filling process and hydrothermal/solvothermal method. Various applications of MCNTs as a mediator of the adsorbent in magnetic solid-phase extraction, sensors, antibacterial agents, and imaging system contrast agents, and in drug delivery and catalysis are discussed. In order to overcome the drawbacks of MCNTs, such as sidewall damage, lack of convincing quantitative characterization methods, toxicity and environmental impact, and deficiency of extraction performance, researchers proposed some solutions in recent years. We systematically review the latest advances in MCNTs and discuss the direction of future development.

Predicting the trend and utility of different photocatalysts for degradation of pharmaceutically active compounds: A special emphasis on photocatalytic materials, modifications, and performance comparison

The rapid rise in the healthcare sector has led to an increase in pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) in different aqueous bodies. The toxicity of the PhACs and their ability to persist after conventional treatment processes have escalated research in the field of photocatalytic treatment. Although different photocatalysts have been successful in degrading PhACs, their inherent drawbacks have severely limited their application on a large scale. A substantial amount of research has been aimed at overcoming the high cost of the photocatalytic material, low quantum yield, the formation of toxic end products, etc. Hence, to further research in this field, researchers must have a fair idea of the current trends in the application of different photocatalysts. In this article, the trends in the use of various photocatalysts for the removal of different PhACs have been circumscribed. The performance of different groups of photocatalysts to degrade PhACs from synthetic and real wastewater has been addressed. The drawbacks and advantages of these materials have been compared, and their future in the field of PhACs removal has been predicted using S-curve analysis. Zinc and titanium-based photocatalysts were efficient under UV irradiation, while bismuth and graphene-based materials exhibited exemplary performance in visible light. However, iron-based compounds were found to have the most promising future, which may be because of their magnetic properties, easy availability, low bandgap, etc. Different modification techniques, such as morphology modification, doping, heterojunction formation, etc., have also been discussed. This study may help researchers to clarify the current research status in the field of photocatalytic treatment of PhACs and provide valuable information for future research.

Determination of chloramphenicol and tetracycline residues in milk samples by means of nanofiber coated magnetic particles prior to high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection

A magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) methodology was developed for the determination of chloramphenicol (CP) and tetracycline (TET) antibiotic residues in milk samples. As a solid phase sorbent, C-nanofiber coated magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized and extensively characterized using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Raman Spectroscopy and X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD) analysis. Experimental variables of MSPE method for both antibiotic analytes were investigated and optimized systematically. After MSPE, the linear range for both the analytes (r² > 0.9954) were obtained in a range 10.0-600.0 ng mL^-1. The limit of detections (LODs) for CP and TET were 3.02 and 3.52 ng mL^-1, respectively while RSDs % were below than 4.0%. Finally, the developed method based on MPSE-HPLC-DAD was applied to real milk samples to quantify the antibiotic residues. Recovery values for each antibiotic compound were found in the range of 94.6-105.4% (n = 3) by using spiked model solution.

Progress and prospects of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in biomedical applications: A review

Nanoscience has been considered as one of the most substantial research in modern science. The utilization of nanoparticle (NP) materials provides numerous advantages in biomedical applications due to their unique properties. Among various types of nanoparticles, the magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) of iron oxide possess intrinsic features, which have been efficiently exploited for biomedical purposes including drug delivery, magnetic resonance imaging, Magnetic-activated cell sorting, nanobiosensors, hyperthermia, and tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The size and shape of nanostructures are the main factors affecting the physicochemical features of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, which play an important role in the improvement of MNP properties, and can be controlled by appropriate synthesis strategies. On the other hand, the proper modification and functionalization of the surface of iron oxide nanoparticles have significant effects on the improvement of physicochemical and mechanical features, biocompatibility, stability, and surface activity of MNPs. This review focuses on popular methods of fabrication, beneficial surface coatings with regard to the main required features for their biomedical use, as well as new applications.

Preparation of menthol-based hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents for the extraction of triphenylmethane dyes: quantitative properties and extraction mechanism

A series of natural, environmentally friendly and low-cost menthol-based hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (DES) were synthesized to extract triphenylmethane (TPM) dyes.

Aptamer-enhanced fluorescence determination of bisphenol A after magnetic solid-phase extraction using Fe3O4@SiO2@aptamer

Bisphenol A (BPA) is used as a stabilizing agent in many food packaging plastics and is a known endocrine-disrupting chemical that can alter the development of mammary glands, affect egg cells, and cause chromosomal defects. However, the pretreatment of traditional assays for detecting BPA is difficult. In this work, a novel aptamer functionalized magnetic adsorbent was developed and combined with magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) for the selective enrichment of BPA. First, magnetic silica-coated Fe₃O₄ microspheres (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂) were synthesized by the sol-gel method, and functional magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@Apt) were formed by modifying with nucleic acids. In the presence of BPA in a MSPE system, the nucleic acid aptamer can specifically capture the target BPA. After magnetic separation, the Apt/BPA composite was eluted, and we observed enhanced fluorescence with the Apt/BPA composite that was formed. Our results showed that this method allowed a limit of detection of 0.05 ng mL^-1.

Present applications of titanium dioxide for the photocatalytic removal of pollutants from water: A review

The evolution of modern technology and industrial processes has been accompanied by an increase in the utilization of chemicals to derive new products. Water bodies are frequently contaminated by the presence of conventional pollutants such as dyes and heavy metals, as well as microorganisms that are responsible for various diseases. A sharp rise has also been observed in the presence of new compounds heretofore excluded from the design and evaluation of wastewater treatment processes, categorized as "emerging pollutants". While some are harmless, certain emerging pollutants possess the ability to cause debilitating effects on a wide spectrum of living organisms. Photocatalytic degradation has emerged as an increasingly popular solution to the problem of water pollution due to its effectiveness and versatility. The primary objective of this study is to thoroughly scrutinize recent applications of titanium dioxide and its modified forms as photocatalytic materials in the removal and control of several classes of water pollutants as reported in literature. Different structural modifications are used to enhance the performance of the photocatalyst such as doping and formation of composites. The principles of these modifications have been scrutinized and evaluated in this review in order to present their advantages and drawbacks. The mechanisms involved in the removal of different pollutants through photocatalysis performed by TiO2 have been highlighted. The factors affecting the mechanism of photocatalysis and those affecting the performance of different TiO2-based photocatalysts have also been thoroughly discussed, thereby presenting a comprehensive view of all aspects involved in the application of TiO₂ to remediate and control water pollution.