Efficient and Selective Removal of Heavy Metals and Dyes from Aqueous Solutions Using Guipi Residue-Based Hydrogel

The presence of organic dyes and heavy metal ions in water sources poses a significant threat to human health and the ecosystem. In this study, hydrogel adsorbents for water pollution remediation were synthesized using Guipi residue (GP), a cellulose material from Chinese herbal medicine, and chitosan (CTS) through radical polymerization with acrylamide (AM) and acrylic acid (AA). The characteristics of the hydrogels were analyzed from a physicochemical perspective, and their ability to adsorb was tested using model pollutants such as Pb2+, Cd2+, Rhodamine B (RhB), and methyl orange (MO). The outcomes revealed that GP/CTS/AA-co-AM, which has improved mechanical attributes, effectively eliminated these pollutants. At a pH of 4.0, a contact duration of 120 min, and an initial concentration of 600 mg/L for Pb2+ and 500 mg/L for Cd2+, the highest adsorption capabilities were 314.6 mg/g for Pb2+ and 289.1 mg/g for Cd2+. Regarding the dyes, the GP/CTS/AA-co-AM hydrogel displayed adsorption capacities of 106.4 mg/g for RhB and 94.8 mg/g for MO, maintaining a stable adsorption capacity at different pHs. Compared with other competitive pollutants, GP/CTS/AA-co-AM demonstrated a higher absorption capability, mainly targeted toward Pb2+. The adsorption processes for the pollutants conformed to pseudo-second-order kinetics models and adhered to the Langmuir models. Even after undergoing five consecutive adsorption and desorption cycles, the adsorption capacities for heavy metals and dyes remained above 70% and 80%. In summary, this study effectively suggested the potential of the innovative GP/CTS/AA-co-AM hydrogel as a practical and feasible approach for eliminating heavy metals and dyes from water solutions.

Cellulosic wastepaper modified starch/ itaconic acid/ acrylic acid-based biodegradable hydrogel as a sustain release of NPK fertilizer vehicle for agricultural applications

In this work, wastepaper powder was used as a modifying agent for a biodegradable hydrogel composite of starch, itaconic acid, and acrylic acid. After the addition of an optimum amount of the modifying agent, the swelling ability of the hydrogel was enhanced from 503 g/g to 647 g/g. Further, the hydrogel was also used for sustained release of NPK fertilizer and subsequent effect of the fertilizer loaded hydrogel in okra seed germination was also studied. The NPK loaded-hydrogel showed good sustained-release behavior and 98 % of N, 81 % of P and 95 % of K release were observed after 20th day of incubation. Moreover, the release study was explained by using different kinetic models. In seed germination study, a higher and faster germination rate for okra seeds was observed in case of NPK loaded hydrogel compared to the control system, which was attributed to the synergistic effect of essential macronutrients (N, P, and K) and water that were inside the hydrogel. Most importantly, the hydrogel was found to be biodegradable by using soil burial method and further confirmed by FTIR and SEM analyses. Thus, this work provides an efficient way for utilization of wastepaper in the production of a biodegradable hydrogel for agricultural applications.

Nanocomposite-based smart fertilizers: A boon to agricultural and environmental sustainability

Fertilizers are indispensable agri-inputs to accomplish the growing food demand. The injudicious use of conventional fertilizer products has resulted in several environmental and human health complications. To mitigate these problems, nanocomposite-based fertilizers are viable alternative options. Nanocomposites, a novel class of materials having improved mechanical strength, barrier properties, and mechanical and thermal stability, are suitable candidates to develop eco-friendly slow/controlled release fertilizer formulations. In this review, the use of different nanocomposite materials developed for nutrient management in agriculture has been summarized with a major focus on their synthesis and characterization techniques, and application aspects in plant nutrition, along with addressing constraints and future opportunities of this domain. Further detailed studies on nanocomposite-based fertilizers are required to evaluate the cost-effective synthesis methods, in-depth field efficacy, environmental fate, stability, etc. before commercialization in the field of agriculture. The present review is expected to help the policy makers and all the stakeholders in the large-scale commercialization and application of nanocomposite-based smart fertilizer products with greater societal acceptance and environmental sustainability in near future.

A Nanotechnology-Based Approach to Biosensor Application in Current Diabetes Management Practices

Diabetes mellitus is linked to both short-term and long-term health problems. Therefore, its detection at a very basic stage is of utmost importance. Research institutes and medical organizations are increasingly using cost-effective biosensors to monitor human biological processes and provide precise health diagnoses. Biosensors aid in accurate diabetes diagnosis and monitoring for efficient treatment and management. Recent attention to nanotechnology in the fast-evolving area of biosensing has facilitated the advancement of new sensors and sensing processes and improved the performance and sensitivity of current biosensors. Nanotechnology biosensors detect disease and track therapy response. Clinically efficient biosensors are user-friendly, efficient, cheap, and scalable in nanomaterial-based production processes and thus can transform diabetes outcomes. This article is more focused on biosensors and their substantial medical applications. The highlights of the article consist of the different types of biosensing units, the role of biosensors in diabetes, the evolution of glucose sensors, and printed biosensors and biosensing systems. Later on, we were engrossed in the glucose sensors based on biofluids, employing minimally invasive, invasive, and noninvasive technologies to find out the impact of nanotechnology on the biosensors to produce a novel device as a nano-biosensor. In this approach, this article documents major advances in nanotechnology-based biosensors for medical applications, as well as the hurdles they must overcome in clinical practice.

Theoretical study on adiabatic electron affinity of fatty acids

The AEA of saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids with typical substituents were calculated by the ωB97X method.

Nanocomposites for Delivering Agrochemicals: A Comprehensive Review

Excessive application of fertilizers negatively affects soil health, causes low nutrient utilization efficiency in plants, and leads to environmental pollution. The application of controlled-release fertilizer is gaining momentum to overcome this crisis. Engineered nanocomposites (ENCs) have shown tremendous promise for need-based delivery of agrochemicals (macro- and micronutrients, pesticides, and other agrochemicals). This review provides comprehensive coverage of synthesis of nanocomposites, their physical-chemical characterization, and techniques to achieve sustained release and targeted delivery to the crops, emphasizing their beneficial role in plant production and protection. Related aspects like feasibility of the application, commercialization of the nanoformulations, and biosafety concerns are also highlighted. This will be helpful to develop a critical understanding of the current state of the art in the controlled release of agrochemicals through nanocomposites. The pressing issues like scale up production, cost analyses, field-based trials, and environmental safety concerns should be given greater attention in future studies.

Slow release fertilizer hydrogels: a review

Slow release fertilizer hydrogels combine fertilizer and hydrogel into one system.

Optimisation of phosphate loading on graphene oxide–Fe(iii) composites – possibilities for engineering slow release fertilisers

Engineering of a graphene-oxide based slow release P composite as an efficient, environmental friendly fertiliser.