Biogenic synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles used in environmental applications: A review

Due to their physical, chemical, optical, and mechanical properties, metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) are increasingly being used, with an emphasis on silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). In recent years, green synthesis has gained prominence for exploring the use of naturally available biological sources for the obtention of metallic nanoparticles. Among these, algae and plants stand out due to the presence of polysaccharides, proteins, polyphenols, and vitamins (among others) in their composition, which can act in the reduction and stabilisation of MNPs, and these biogenic materials have been characterised mainly by spectrometric and microscopic techniques. In addition, due to the numerous advantages of nanoparticles (NPs) synthetize from biogenic source, such as their simplicity and cost benefits, they have been used in the development of sensors applied in the determination of contaminants present in environmental samples and in the catalytic reduction of organic and inorganic contaminants. Therefore, this review describes the synthesis, mechanisms, characterization, and environmental analytical applications of NPs obtained by biogenic synthesis as well as the perspectives and challenges of these NPs.     

Recent advances in analytical methodologies based on mass spectrometry for the environmental analysis of halogenated organic contaminants

Halogenated organic contaminants, including legislated and potential persistent organic pollutants and their precursors, represent a major environmental concern due to their hazardous effects in humans and wildlife as well as their ability to bioaccumulate through the food chain, their high resistance to environmental degradation, and their long-range atmospheric transport potential. The monitoring of these compounds in the environment at ultra-trace concentration levels requires highly selective and sensitive analytical methodologies. The lack of reference step-by-step methods led to a high number of reliable determinations depending on analytes, the complexity of the sample, and available instrumentation. Thus, this review article is mainly focused on the last advances in the analytical methodologies for the determination of halogenated organic contaminants. Methodologies regarding sample treatment, chromatographic separation, and mass spectrometry analysis have been reviewed to finally highlight the future perspectives for the improvement of the analytical determinations of these compounds and the throughput of environmental control laboratories in this field.     

Molecularly imprinted polymer-carbon paste electrode (MIP-CPE)-based sensors for the sensitive detection of organic and inorganic environmental pollutants: A review

The rapidly growing existence of a number of contaminants (i.e. heavy metals, dye compounds, explosives and pesticides etc.) in environment is an alarming concern not only due to their harmful impacts for the environment bur also due to their potential high risk for human health. Thus, the careful and sensitive detection of these environmental contaminants is ver crucial. Electrochemical sensors combined with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) become an attractive area for environmental monitoring. Benefiting from their great features such as high chemical and physical stability, cheap preparation process, excellent selectivity, sensitivity and fast response towards the target compound/s.This review paper aims to present and highlight the latest progresses in the design and development of novel electrochemical sensor systems composed of MIPs and carbon paste electrodes (CPEs) for the sensitive detection of pollutants in environmental samples.     

Selection of hydrogel electrolytes for flexible zinc–air batteries

Flexible zinc–air batteries attract more attention due to their high energy density, safety, environmental protection, and low cost. However, the traditional aqueous electrolyte has the disadvantages of leakage and water evaporation, which cannot meet application demand of flexible zinc–air batteries. Hydrogels possessing good conductivity and mechanical properties become a candidate as the electrolytes of flexible zinc–air batteries. In this work, advances in aspects of conductivity, mechanical toughness, environmental adaptability, and interfacial compatibility of hydrogel electrolytes for flexible zinc–air batteries are investigated. First, the additives to improve conductivity of hydrogel electrolytes are summarized. Second, the measures to enhance the mechanical properties of hydrogels are taken by way of structure optimization and composition modification. Third, the environmental adaptability of hydrogel electrolytes is listed in terms of temperature, humidity, and air composition. Fourth, the compatibility of electrolyte–electrode interface is discussed from physical properties of hydrogels. Finally, the prospect for development and application of hydrogels is put forward.     

Recent advances in BiOBr-based photocatalysts for environmental remediation

The efficient utilization of solar energy through photocatalysis is ideal for solving environmental issues and the development sustainable future. BiOBr-based semiconductors possess unique narrowed bandgaps and layered structures, thereby widely studied as photocatalysts for environmental remediation. However, a little has been focused on the comprehensive reviewing of BiOBr despite its extensive and promising applications. In this review, the state-of-the-art developments of BiOBr-based photocatalysts for environmental remediation are summarized. Particular focus is paid to the synthetic strategies for the control of the resulting morphologies, as well as efficient modification strategies for improving the photocatalytic activities. These include boosting the bulk phase by charge separation, enhancing the spatial charge separation, and engineering the surface states. The environmental uses of BiOBr-based photocatalysts are also reviewed in terms of purification of pollutants and CO₂ reduction. Finally, future challenges and opportunities of BiOBr-based materials in photocatalysis are discussed. Overall, this review provides a good basis for future exploration of high-efficiency solar-driven photocatalysts for environmental sustainability.     

ESEM-EDS: In vivo characterization of the Ni hyperaccumulator Noccaea caerulescens

Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) permits to analyze samples in their native-hydrated state, allowing a broad spectrum of biological applications. In this study, ESEM equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) was used as a fast method to analyze tissue morphology and to investigate metal distribution in the Ni hyperaccumulator Noccaea caerulescens, an established model to study the adaptation of plants to metalliferous soils. The low vacuum and wet mode operative conditions required the proper choice of experimental parameters both for morphological and compositional characterization of plant tissues. The calibration strategy for semi-quantitative analysis involved the use of Ni fortified agar as standard and signal normalization respect to endogenous carbon, chosen as internal standard. The obtained results are in accordance with present literature, showing a preferential Ni distribution in the epidermal cells respect to near the stomata for leaves and in the cotyledon epidermidis respect to cotyledon parenchyma area for seeds. Thanks to the absence of any time consuming sample treatment steps, ESEM-EDS technique can be proposed as valid strategy for in vivo high-throughput analysis of plant tissues and for a rapid screening and identification of other hyperaccumulator plants in a selected contaminated area.     

Dynamics and optimal control in a spatially structured economic growth model with pollution diffusion and environmental taxation

In the first part of this paper we present a spatially structured dynamic economic growth model which takes into account the level of pollution and a possible taxation based on the amount of produced pollution. In the second part we analyze an optimal harvesting control problem with an objective function composed of three terms, namely the intertemporal utility of the decision maker, the space–time average of the level of pollution in the habitat, and the disutility due to the imposition of taxation.     

Efficiency assessment of primary care providers: A conditional nonparametric approach

This paper uses a fully nonparametric approach to estimate efficiency measures for primary care units incorporating the effect of (exogenous) environmental factors. This methodology allows us to account for different types of variables (continuous and discrete) describing the main characteristics of patients served by those providers. In addition, we use an extension of this nonparametric approach to deal with the presence of undesirable outputs in data, represented by the rates of hospitalization for ambulatory care sensitive condition (ACSC). The empirical results show that all the exogenous variables considered have a significant and negative effect on efficiency estimates.     

Catalytic and kinetic spectrophotometric method for determination of vanadium(V) by 2,3,4-trihydroxyacetophenonephenylhydrazone

A new catalytic and kinetic spectrophotometric method for the determination of vanadium(V) was studied using 2,3,4-trihydroxyacetophenonephenylhydrazone (THAPPH) as an analytical reagent. The present method was developed on the catalytic effect of vanadium on oxidation of THAPPH by hydrogen peroxide in hydrochloric acid–potassium chloride buffer (pH = 2.8) at the 20th minute. The metal ion has formed 1:2 (M:L) complex with THAPPH. Beer’s law was obeyed in the range 20–120 ng/mL of V(V) at λ_max 390 nm. The sensitivity of the method was calculated in terms of molar absorptivity (1.999 × 10⁵ L mol⁻¹cm⁻¹) and Sandell’s sensitivity (0.000254 μg cm⁻²), shows that this method is more sensitive. The standard deviation (0.0022), relative standard deviation (0.56%), confidence limit (±0.0015) and standard error (0.0007) revealed that the developed method has more precision and accuracy. The stability constant was calculated with the help of Asmu’s (9.411 × 10⁻¹¹) and Edmond’s & Birnbaum’s (9.504 × 10⁻¹¹) methods at room temperature. The interfering effect of various cations and anions was also studied. The present method was successfully applied for the determination of vanadium(V) in environmental and alloy samples. The method’s validity was checked by comparing the results obtained with atomic-absorption spectrophotometry and also by evaluation of results using F-test.     

A novel model for quantification of the moisture absorption of polymeric laminated composites

In the present study, a new model was developed that considers the amount of the environmental fluid absorption by different constituents of polymeric laminated composites including fibers, resin, fiber-matrix interphase region, ply interface region, and voids. By knowing the fluid absorption behavior of the composite constituents, the present model can predict the amount of fluid absorption of different constituents of polymeric laminated composites with an arbitrary resin volume fraction and stacking sequence. Test specimens were fabricated by glass fibers and vinyl ester resin. The environmental fluids, examined in this study, were distilled and saline water under different temperatures and salt concentrations. To investigate the absorption behavior of different constituents of polymeric composite, various tests were conducted on fibers, pure cured resin, unidirectional composite specimens, and laminated composites. Based on the results of the tests, a new theoretical model was developed to quantify and predict the amount of fluid absorption of different constituents of laminated polymeric composites. The thickness of the interphase region between the fiber and matrix was also measured using the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and nano-indentation tests. The consistency of experimental results with the outcomes of the theoretical model indicates the accuracy of the model.