Search Results (4,911)

Oil pollution remains a persistent global environmental challenge due to the recalcitrance and toxicity of lipid-rich contaminants in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Bacterial lipases (EC 3.1.1.3) play a pivotal role in the initial stages of bioremediation by catalysing the hydrolysis of complex lipids into more bioavailable intermediates, thereby facilitating downstream microbial degradation and mineralisation. This review critically examines the mechanistic basis of lipase-mediated hydrocarbon degradation, with emphasis on enzyme structure–function relationships, catalytic pathways, and regulation under environmentally relevant conditions. In addition to conventional applications in soil and wastewater bioremediation, emerging strategies involving immobilised enzymes, microbial consortia, and waste-derived substrates are evaluated for their effectiveness and scalability. Attention is given to advances in molecular and omics approaches, including metagenomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, which have expanded the discovery of novel lipases but remain limited in their ability to predict in situ functionality. The review highlights the growing role of protein engineering and artificial intelligence in tailoring lipase properties; however, it also critically assesses current limitations, including insufficient experimental validation and challenges in translating computational predictions to complex environmental systems. Furthermore, integrating multi-omics data into quantitative and predictive frameworks is identified as a key future direction for improving bioremediation efficiency. Despite significant progress, major gaps persist in linking enzyme activity to real-world degradation performance and in developing standardized, scalable approaches. This review therefore provides a comprehensive and critical synthesis of current knowledge while identifying strategic research priorities required to advance bacterial lipases as robust tools for sustainable bioremediation of lipid-based pollutants. Full article

Pesticide contamination in urban runoff, stormwater, and peri-urban drainage networks is an increasing concern because of the persistence, mobility, and ecological toxicity of many pesticide residues and their transformation products. Nature-based solutions (NBSs), including constructed wetlands, bioretention systems, biofilters, and permeable reactive bio-barriers, provide low-energy and ecologically compatible platforms for urban water treatment; however, their performance is often constrained by limited sorption capacity, substrate saturation, variable hydraulic loading, and incomplete degradation of persistent pesticides. Biochar offers a multifunctional amendment for strengthening these systems because its tunable porosity, surface functionality, mineral composition, redox activity, and microbial habitat-forming capacity can support pesticide adsorption, catalytic transformation, and biodegradation. This review critically evaluates biochar-integrated NBSs for pesticide-contaminated urban water systems by linking biochar production and modification strategies with pesticide removal mechanisms, biochar–microbe interactions, engineered treatment configurations, and field-scale applicability. A comparative synthesis is provided across material-level mechanisms, system-level performance, machine learning-assisted prediction, techno-economic feasibility, life-cycle impacts, and environmental risk considerations. By integrating material properties, removal mechanisms, NBS configurations, predictive modeling, sustainability assessment, and risk considerations, this review provides a broader comparative basis than previous studies focused mainly on individual aspects of biochar-based pesticide remediation. Future priorities include standardized biochar production, long-term field validation, spent-biochar management, ecotoxicological assessment, and data-driven optimization of biochar-assisted NBSs. Full article

In this study, a novel and sensitive fluorescent sensing platform was rationally developed for the rapid and specific detection of dopamine. The proposed strategy ingeniously integrates the superior adsorption behavior and extraordinary fluorescence quenching effect of oxidized single-walled carbon nanohorns toward FAM-modified aptamers, as well as the highly efficient cleavage property of the cryonase enzyme. Specifically, the fluorescently labeled aptamer is efficiently adsorbed and shielded by oxidized single-walled carbon nanohorns through strong supramolecular interactions, thereby triggering an evident fluorescence quenching response. Upon the introduction of target dopamine, the specific recognition event between dopamine and its corresponding aptamer takes place, accompanied by the formation of stable aptamer–dopamine complexes. Subsequently, these complexes are selectively hydrolyzed under the catalytic action of the cryonase enzyme, which contributes to the distinct release of fluorophores and the obvious recovery of fluorescence signals. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the aptamer exhibits good linearity toward dopamine in the concentration range of 50–400 ng/mL, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9957 and a low detection limit of 26.12 ng/mL. Therefore, the established analytical method offers a rapid, convenient, and reliable tool for the accurate determination of dopamine in complex human serum samples. Full article

Mg–La mixed metal oxides derived from layered double hydroxide (LDH) precursors were synthesized via coprecipitation and evaluated as heterogeneous catalysts for solventless glycerol etherification to short-chain polyglycerols. The influence of Mg/La molar ratio on the structural, textural, and catalytic properties of the catalysts was systematically investigated using XRD, BET, SEM-EDX, FTIR, TPD-CO₂, TPD-NH₃ and ICP-OES analyses. XRD confirmed the formation of La₂O₂CO₃ phases, while CO₂-TPD analysis revealed the presence of abundant medium-to-strong basic sites. Among the synthesized catalysts, Mg_0.25La_0.75O₂ exhibited the highest basic site concentration (6830 µmol g⁻¹) and superior catalytic performance due to the possible cooperative interaction between Mg- and La-derived sites. Under optimum reaction conditions of 220 °C, 8 h, and 2 wt% catalyst loading, the catalyst achieved 90% glycerol conversion with 70% diglycerol selectivity, 23% triglycerol selectivity, and 84% combined diglycerol and triglycerol yield. Reaction temperature, catalyst loading, and reaction duration significantly influenced oligomer distribution and catalyst performance. Reusability studies demonstrated acceptable catalyst stability for up to four cycles before gradual deactivation caused by oligomer deposition and metal leaching. The results highlight Mg–La mixed oxides as promising catalysts for sustainable solvent-free glycerol valorization, while demonstrating a scalable and environmentally benign strategy for maximizing lower-degree polyglycerol production within shorter reaction durations and reduced processing cost. Full article

Lignin, one of the most abundant renewable aromatic biopolymers on earth, represents a promising feedstock for producing high-value chemicals capable of replacing fossil-derived resources, yet its structural complexity poses significant barriers to efficient valorization. In recent years, photocatalytic transformation has emerged as an attractive strategy to overcome these limitations, employing heterogeneous catalysts to harness solar energy for the selective cleavage and functionalization of lignin under mild and sustainable conditions. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent progress in heterogeneous photocatalysts designed for lignin degradation, emphasizing how material composition, morphological features, surface properties, and band-gap engineering influence catalytic efficiency and selectivity. Key reaction pathways and mechanistic insights are discussed to elucidate the roles of photo-generated charge-carriers, reactive oxygen species, and catalyst–lignin interactions in driving depolymerization and upgrading processes. Furthermore, we analyze current challenges—including low reaction selectivity, catalyst deactivation, and limited scalability—and highlight emerging strategies aimed at improving catalyst stability, enhancing visible-light utilization, and promoting targeted product formation. By critically examining these advancements and limitations, this review outlines future opportunities for the development of efficient, robust, and economically viable photocatalytic systems to enable the sustainable and large-scale valorization of lignin. Full article

In this study, catalytic wet oxidation of highly concentrated antibiotic-containing pharmaceutical wastewater was investigated under mild operating conditions (200–280 °C, 2.0~6.0 MPa) using a CuCe/Al₂O₃catalyst, synthesized via the co-impregnation method. The physicochemical properties of the catalyst were characterized by SEM-EDS, TEM, XPS. The catalytic performance results demonstrated that the CuCe/Al₂O₃ catalyst exhibited optimal catalytic activity, achieving a chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency of 86.3% under the following conditions: reaction temperature 280 °C, reaction time 60 min, initial oxygen pressure 1.2 MPa, and catalyst dosage 5.0 g/L. The superior catalytic performance was attributed to the synergistic effect between Cu and Ce species as well as their excellent dispersion on the support. Kinetic analysis revealed that the oxidation process proceeded via two sequential reaction steps and followed an apparent first-order kinetic model. Overall, this catalytic wet oxidation process offers an efficient pretreatment strategy for highly concentrated pharmaceutical wastewater containing antibiotics. Full article

Silicon carbide (SiC) nanowires possess unique one-dimensional structural features, excellent mechanical strength, thermal stability and wide bandgap properties, showing great potential in high-temperature electronics, catalysis, sensing and composite reinforcement. Nevertheless, pristine SiC nanowires suffer from inert surface activity, weak interfacial compatibility and limited optoelectronic and catalytic performance. Surface coating and heterojunction engineering are effective strategies to address these deficiencies. This review systematically summarizes the synthesis routes of pristine SiC nanowires, including carbothermal reduction, chemical vapor deposition, template-assisted growth and molten salt synthesis, as well as their morphological regulation, physicochemical properties and inherent limitations. Meanwhile, typical coating methods such as wet chemical, hydrothermal, CVD and PIP are elaborated, and the influences of coating thickness, uniformity, adhesion and lattice/thermal compatibility on performance are summarized. The classification and interfacial charge mechanism of Type II, Z-scheme and Schottky heterojunctions are discussed, and the advances of coated SiC nanowires in photodetection, photocatalysis, gas sensing, electromagnetic shielding and energy storage are reviewed. Current challenges including coating stability, scalable preparation and integration bottlenecks are pointed out, and future research directions focusing on interface control, multifunctional integration and AI-assisted material design are prospected. Full article

Chlorpyrifos, a widely used organophosphate pesticide, poses significant environmental risks due to its persistence and the formation of toxic transformation products. Despite extensive research on iron-based Fenton systems, the application of manganese oxides, particularly α-Mn₂O₃, in chlorpyrifos degradation remains insufficiently explored. In this study, we investigated the catalytic performance of α-Mn₂O₃ in Fenton and visible-light-driven photo-Fenton processes for the degradation of chlorpyrifos in aqueous systems. Chlorpyrifos oxon was identified as a transient intermediate, detected at trace levels, supporting an oxidative degradation pathway. Kinetic analysis revealed pseudo-first-order behavior, with comparable rate constants for Fenton reactions at different catalyst loadings (0.0033 min⁻¹ for 5 mg and 0.0028 ± 0.0006 min⁻¹ for 10 mg), indicating that the process is not limited by catalyst concentration under the investigated conditions. In contrast, the photo-Fenton system exhibited a higher rate constant (0.0042 min⁻¹) and significantly improved degradation efficiency, highlighting the role of visible-light activation. The highest removal rates of chlorpyrifos were 86.24% for Fenton experiments and 96.05% for the photo-Fenton experiment, respectively. The enhanced performance is attributed to the photocatalytic properties of α-Mn₂O₃, including its narrow bandgap and the facilitation of Mn³⁺/Mn²⁺ redox cycling, which promotes reactive oxygen species generation. These findings demonstrate that α-Mn₂O₃ is a promising non-iron catalyst for advanced oxidation processes and provide new insights into manganese-mediated Fenton-like mechanisms for the removal of organophosphate contaminants. Full article

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles are semiconductor nanomaterials widely used in biomedical, environmental, and catalytic applications due to their unique physicochemical properties. However, their increasing environmental release has raised concerns regarding potential toxicity in aquatic ecosystems. In this study, pure ZnO, 1% Au-modified ZnO, and 5% Au-modified ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized via a reflux-assisted method to evaluate the effects of Au incorporation on morphology, crystallinity, optical behavior, surface chemistry, and ecotoxicological responses, using Artemia salina as a marine bioindicator. Structural characterization was performed using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), electron diffraction, high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), and energy-dispersive X ray spectroscopy (EDS) elemental mapping, while optical and surface analyses were conducted using UV–Vis and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Although Au-rich domains were identified, the available data do not allow definitive determination of whether Au is incorporated into the ZnO lattice or present as surface-associated metallic Au. Increasing Au content promoted greater nanoparticle agglomeration and broader particle size distributions while preserving the hexagonal wurtzite ZnO crystalline structure. UV-Vis and FT-IR analyses demonstrated that Au modification altered the optical response and surface chemical environment of the nanoparticles. Toxicological evaluations revealed concentration- and time-dependent toxicity. Pure ZnO nanoparticles exhibited LC₅₀ values of 531.25 ppm after 24 h and 65.15 ppm after 48 h exposure. In contrast, 1% Au-modified ZnO nanoparticles showed reduced toxicity, whereas 5% Au-modified ZnO nanoparticles exhibited increased toxicity after prolonged exposure. These findings demonstrate that Au modification significantly influences the physicochemical properties and biological interactions of ZnO nanoparticles. Full article

Nanoparticles have attracted considerable interest for biomedical and catalytic applications due to their unique functional properties. This study aims to evaluate the structural, optical, photoelectric, photocatalytic, and wound-healing performance of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and cellulose nanoparticles with complementary physicochemical characteristics. The nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Ultraviolet–Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, while photoelectric properties were assessed through current–voltage (I–V) measurements. Photocatalytic activity was evaluated using methylene blue degradation under solar irradiation, and in vivo wound healing was examined using a rat excisional model over 13 days. Cellulose nanoparticles exhibited nearly double the photocurrent compared to CTAB, indicating enhanced charge transport efficiency. Photocatalytic results showed that cellulose achieved approximately ~70% degradation within 210 s, compared to ~50% for CTAB. In vivo findings revealed that cellulose achieved 82% wound closure, compared with 71% for CTAB, 67% for Betadine, and 35% for untreated controls, accompanied by improved tissue regeneration. Overall, cellulose nanoparticles exhibited better photoelectrochemical, photocatalytic, and wound-healing properties, whereas CTAB provided structural integrity and antimicrobial properties. These materials are therefore promising multifunctional nanomaterials for catalytic and biological applications. Full article

The great impact of carbon dioxide emissions on climate change motivates the development of technologies for carbon capture and utilization. CO₂ methanation, which transforms CO₂ into methane using renewable hydrogen, is a promising power-to-gas and carbon utilization pathway. Achieving high activity, strong CH₄ selectivity, and long-term stability remains challenging, as well as pushes to tailor catalyst properties for the methanation reaction. Cerium oxide is therefore widely explored as a support or promoter due to its redox behaviour and oxygen vacancy chemistry. This review surveys recent literature on catalysts based and containing CeO₂ applied for CO₂ methanation, covering not only thermal operation but also non-conventional catalytic routes as photothermal, electrocatalytic, and plasma-assisted, with emphasis on how synthesis and role of Ce tune physicochemical properties and catalytic activity. Across reported systems, dispersing active metals (notably Ni and Ru, Cu for electrochemical systems) on ceria frequently yields to high CH₄ selectivity. Redox properties of ceria enable optimal metal–support interactions and surface basicity to achieve effective CO₂ activation in thermo-catalytic route. Further enhancement of oxygen mobility is associated with doped CeO₂ and solid solutions such as Ce-Zr. The high oxygen storage capacity of CeO₂ promotes photogenerated charge separation for light-driven performance and optimal plasma–catalyst interactions. Full article

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) conversion in non-thermal plasma is a promising route for carbon utilisation under mild conditions. This study investigates the performance and dynamic behaviour of kaolin-based catalysts modified with Ni (nickel), Ni–Ce (nickel-cerium), and Fe–Cu (iron-copper) oxides in a Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) reactor. Materials were characterised using X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. CO₂ conversion was evaluated at varying Plasma Energy Numbers (PEN = 1.65–20) with time-resolved gas analysis over a 10 min period. Results demonstrate that the kaolin support is not inert; its dielectric properties actively influence discharge characteristics. Ni-based catalysts exhibited the highest stable activity, reaching ~53% conversion for samples calcined at 500 °C. Conversely, adding cerium oxide significantly decreased conversion and induced temporal instabilities, contrasting with its typical role in thermal catalysis. Time-resolved measurements revealed that Ni–Ce and Fe–Cu systems exhibit initial activity followed by gradual deactivation, suggesting plasma-induced surface restructuring. These findings highlight that catalyst performance in DBD is governed by a complex interplay of chemical activity and plasma–material interactions. The generated time-series data provide a robust foundation for machine learning applications in predictive modelling and stability classification of plasma-catalytic systems. Full article

This study investigates the effect of dilute organic acid treatment on the structural, textural, electronic, and catalytic properties of layered La–Sr–Fe–O Ruddlesden–Popper (R–P) oxides using XRD, TEM, BET, Mössbauer spectroscopy, XPS, H₂-TPR, C₂H₆-TPR and catalytic testing. XRD and TEM confirm that the overall layered Ruddlesden–Popper structure is preserved after acid treatment and during catalysis, with minor changes in phase composition, including a decrease in the n = 1 phase and a relative increase in the n = 2 phase. BET analysis shows increased specific surface area and pore volume, forming a more accessible mesoporous structure that is retained under reaction conditions. Mössbauer spectroscopy and XPS reveal an increased Fe⁴⁺ fraction and formation of hydroxylated and carbonated surface species stabilizing active Fe sites. During catalysis, a dynamic Fe³⁺/Fe⁴⁺ redox cycle occurs, along with surface restructuring and involvement of non-lattice oxygen, while the bulk electronic structure remains largely unchanged. Catalytic tests show improved activity, with a 40–60 °C reduction in operating temperature for all acid-treated samples, independent of acid type. This enhancement is mainly attributed to surface-related modifications, including removal of surface Sr-containing species, improved surface accessibility, and enhanced mass transport, while the overall R–P structural remains preserved. Full article

Background/Objectives: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) treatment is limited by tumor hypoxia and poor specificity of therapeutic agents. To address these challenges, we developed brain-targeted liposomes co-encapsulating 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and catalase (CAT), termed brain-targeted 5-ALA-CAT liposomes (BACL), which were surface-modified with the Angiopep-2 ligand to enhance blood–brain barrier penetration and achieve multimodal therapy combining targeted delivery and oxygen generation. Methods: BACL was prepared and characterized. Tumor targeting was verified by flow cytometry and in vivo imaging. In vitro antitumor activity was evaluated by wound-healing assay, colony formation assay, live/dead staining, MTT assay, and Western blotting. In vivo efficacy, apoptosis, and safety were assessed in a subcutaneous xenograft model. Transcriptome sequencing and qRT-PCR were employed to identify molecular mechanisms and novel targets. Results: BACL exhibited favorable physicochemical properties (size: 122.4 nm, PDI: 0.189, zeta potential: −12.3 mV) and spherical morphology as observed by TEM, with encapsulation efficiencies of 51.2% for 5-ALA and 43.8% for CAT. Compared with unmodified 5-ALA, BACL increased the cellular uptake efficiency by 1.6-fold in glioma cells while maintaining catalytic stability for sustained oxygen generation. In vitro experiments demonstrated that BACL significantly inhibited glioma cell migration, colony formation, and cell viability, and induced apoptosis. In a subcutaneous xenograft tumor model, BACL-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) achieved a tumor growth inhibition rate of 52%, with apoptosis induction via regulation of Bcl-2, Bax, and p53 expression, and no obvious toxicity to major organs was observed. Transcriptomic analysis combined with qRT-PCR validation revealed that BACL activates multiple antitumor signaling pathways, including targeted inhibition of IL-10 and CXCL13 to disrupt cytokine–receptor interactions, as well as coordinated regulation of S100A3 and IGSF-9 expression to suppress glioma progression. Conclusions: These multimodal actions enhanced PDT efficacy while remodeling the tumor microenvironment. Our findings position BACL as a promising therapeutic platform integrating targeted delivery, hypoxia alleviation, and immunomodulation for GBM therapy. Full article

Perovskite manganites (AMnO₃) and perovskite-like manganites (A′_1−xA_xMnO₃) are complex oxide materials that have attracted significant attention from the scientific community in recent years due to their structural flexibility, mixed-valence state, tunable electronic configuration, and multifunctional properties. This review systematically analyzes the synthesis methods, structural classification, and physicochemical characterization of perovskite manganites, as well as their magnetic, optical, electrical, dielectric, and catalytic properties. The influence of solid-state reactions, sol–gel, Pechini, hydrothermal, co-precipitation, microwave, and other mild chemical approaches on phase purity, morphology, particle size, and oxygen stoichiometry was examined. The structural diversity of perovskite and perovskite-like manganites, including simple ABO₃, double perovskites, multilayer, and low-dimensional systems, was characterized in relation to their functional properties. The review discussed the capabilities of methods for synthesizing and analyzing morphological properties, demonstrating the role of doping, cation substitution, oxygen vacancies, and Jahn–Teller distortions in controlling material properties. Prospects for the application of perovskite manganites in spintronics, magnetocaloric cooling, photocatalysis, gas-sensing devices, and energy conversion and storage systems were analyzed. This review highlights the structure–property–application relationship in perovskite manganites. Full article