The Environmental Impacts of Fast Fashion on Water Quality: A Systematic Review

Solvothermal Synthesis of Cu2ZnSnSe4 Nanoparticles and Their Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Activity

Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe) nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully synthesized via a solvothermal method. Their structural, compositional, morphological, optoelectronic, and electrochemical properties have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. Porosimetry and specific surface area in terms of the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) technique have also been studied. XRD indicates the formation of a polycrystalline kesterite CZTSe phase. Raman peaks at 173 and 190 cm-1 confirm the formation of a pure phase. TEM micrographs revealed the presence of nanoparticles with average sizes of ~90 nm. A BET surface area of 7 m2/g was determined. The CZTSe NPs showed a bandgap of 1.0 eV and a p-type semiconducting behavior. As a proof of concept, for the first time, the CZTSe NPs have been used as a visible-light-driven photocatalyst to Congo red (CR) azo dye degradation. The nanophotocatalyst material under simulated sunlight results in almost complete degradation (96%) of CR dye after 70 min, following a pseudo-second-order kinetic model (rate constant of 0.334 min-1). The prepared CZTSe was reusable and can be repeatedly used to remove CR dye from aqueous solutions.

Composting municipal solid waste and animal manure in response to the current fertilizer crisis - a recent review

The dynamic price increases of fertilizers and the generation of organic waste are currently global issues. The growth of the population has led to increased production of solid municipal waste and a higher demand for food. Food production is inherently related to agriculture and, to achieve higher yields, it is necessary to replenish the soil with essential minerals. A synergistic approach that addresses both problems is the implementation of the composting process, which aligns with the principles of a circular economy. Food waste, green waste, paper waste, cardboard waste, and animal manure are promising feedstock materials for the extraction of valuable compounds. This review discusses key factors that influence the composting process and compares them with the input materials' parameters. It also considers methods for optimizing the process, such as the use of biochar and inoculation, which result in the production of the final product in a significantly shorter time and at lower financial costs. The applications of composts produced from various materials are described along with associated risks. In addition, innovative composting technologies are presented.

Green conversion of waste PET into magnetic Ni0·4Fe2·6O4/(Fe,Ni)@carbon nanostructure for adsorption and separation of dyes from aqueous media

A nanostructured core-shell composite (Ni0·4Fe2·6O4/(Fe,Ni)@carbon, NFC) comprising magnetic nano-cores encapsulated with graphitic shells (≈80 wt%) is prepared by facile and clean mechanochemical-molten salt processing approach using waste PET; providing a specific surface area of 201.9 m2 g-1, well-developed mesopores, and ferromagnetic behavior characterized by the coercivity value of 149 Oe. NFC is utilized as a high-performance adsorbent for the removal of organic dyes from their aqueous solutions. Moreover, the magnetic performance of NFC enables the facile collection of the exhausted adsorbent out of the purified water. Performances of NFC for the removal of crystal violet dye (CV), methyl orange (MO) and rhodamine B (Rh B) from their aqueous solutions are systematically investigated under different environmental conditions including the adsorbent dosage and dye concentration, as well as the solution pH and temperature, where an impressive CV removal capacity of 201.6-243.8 mg g-1 is recorded for a wide pH range of 2-10. Mechanism and kinetics involved in the adsorption process are investigated by studying the adsorption isotherms and thermodynamics. The dye adsorption of the nanocomposite material is confirmed to follow the pseudo-second-order kinetic model combined with the Langmuir isotherm model, exhibiting an excellent spontaneous and exothermic monolayer adsorption capacity of around 153 mg g-1 (for MO) for the fresh adsorbent and around 89 mg g-1 after three adsorption-regeneration cycles.

Sustainability practices and organizational performance during the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis: A case of apparel and textile industry in Sri Lanka

The apparel and textile industry is the backbone of the Sri Lankan economy, contributing significantly to the country's gross domestic product (GDP). The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which also triggered the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka, has a profound effect on the organizational performance of apparel sector firms in Sri Lanka. In this context, the study examines the impact of multi-dimensional corporate sustainability practices on organizational performance in the said sector. The study employed the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique for analysing and testing the hypothesis of the study while using Smart PLS 4.0 software as the analysis tool. Relevant data were collected through a questionnaire from 300 apparel firms registered with the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI). The study results indicated that "economic vigour," "ethical practices," and "social equity" have a significant impact on organizational performance, while "corporate governance" and "environmental performance" have an insignificant impact. Unique discoveries from this study would be useful to prosper organizational performance and formulate novel sustainable future strategies not limited to the garment industry even during harsh economic conditions.