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Search Results (962)

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Keywords = organic/inorganic acids

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24 pages, 5000 KiB  
Article
A Study of Methylene Blue Adsorption by a Synergistic Adsorbent Algae (Nostoc sphaericum)/Activated Clay
by Yakov Felipe Carhuarupay-Molleda, Noemí Melisa Ccasa Barboza, Sofía Pastor-Mina, Carlos Eduardo Dueñas Valcarcel, Ybar G. Palomino-Malpartida, Rolando Licapa Redolfo, Antonieta Mojo-Quisani, Miriam Calla-Florez, Rolando F. Aguilar-Salazar, Yovana Flores-Ccorisapra, Arturo Rojas Benites, Edward Arostegui León, David Choque-Quispe and Frida E. Fuentes Bernedo
Polymers 2025, 17(15), 2134; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17152134 - 4 Aug 2025
Abstract
Dye residues from the textile industry constitute a critical wastewater problem. This study aimed to evaluate the removal capacity of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous media, using an adsorbent formulated from activated and sonicated nanoclay (NC) and microatomized Nostoc sphaericum (ANS). NC was [...] Read more.
Dye residues from the textile industry constitute a critical wastewater problem. This study aimed to evaluate the removal capacity of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous media, using an adsorbent formulated from activated and sonicated nanoclay (NC) and microatomized Nostoc sphaericum (ANS). NC was obtained by acid treatment, followed by activation with 1 M NaCl and sonication, while ANS was obtained by microatomization in an aqueous medium. NC/ANS was mixed in a 4:1 weight ratio. The NC/ANS synergistic adsorbent was characterized by the point of zero charge (PZC), zeta potential (ζ), particle size, FTIR spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). NC/ANS exhibited good colloidal stability, as determined by pHPZC, particle size in the nanometer range, and heterogeneous morphology with functional groups (hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amide), removing between 72.59 and 97.98% from an initial concentration of 10 ppm of MB, for doses of 20 to 30 mg/L of NC/ANS and pH of 5 to 8. Optimal adsorption conditions are achieved at pH 6.8 and 32.9 mg/L of adsorbent NC/ANS. It was observed that the pseudo-first-order (PFO) and pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetic models best described the adsorption kinetics, indicating a predominance of the physisorption process, with adsorption capacity around 20 mg/g. Isotherm models and thermodynamic parameters of adsorption, ΔS, ΔH, and ΔG, revealed that the adsorption process is spontaneous, favorable, thermodynamically stable, and occurs at the monolayer level, with a regeneration capacity of 90.35 to 37.54% at the fifth cycle. The application of physical activation methods, such as sonication of the clay and microatomization of the algae, allows proposing a novel and alternative synergistic material from organic and inorganic sources that is environmentally friendly and promotes sustainability, with a high capacity to remove cationic dyes in wastewater. Full article
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26 pages, 8845 KiB  
Article
Occurrence State and Genesis of Large Particle Marcasite in a Thick Coal Seam of the Zhundong Coalfield in Xinjiang
by Xue Wu, Ning Lü, Shuo Feng, Wenfeng Wang, Jijun Tian, Xin Li and Hayerhan Xadethan
Minerals 2025, 15(8), 816; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15080816 (registering DOI) - 31 Jul 2025
Viewed by 165
Abstract
The Junggar Basin contains a large amount of coal resources and is an important coal production base in China. The coal seam in Zhundong coalfield has a large single-layer thickness and high content of inertinite, but large particle Fe-sulphide minerals are associated with [...] Read more.
The Junggar Basin contains a large amount of coal resources and is an important coal production base in China. The coal seam in Zhundong coalfield has a large single-layer thickness and high content of inertinite, but large particle Fe-sulphide minerals are associated with coal seams in some mining areas. A series of economic and environmental problems caused by the combustion of large-grained Fe-sulphide minerals in coal have seriously affected the economic, clean and efficient utilization of coal. In this paper, the ultra-thick coal seam of the Xishanyao formation in the Yihua open-pit mine of the Zhundong coalfield is taken as the research object. Through the analysis of coal quality, X-ray fluorescence spectrometer test of major elements in coal, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry test of trace elements, SEM-Raman identification of Fe-sulphide minerals in coal and LA-MC-ICP-MS test of sulfur isotope of marcasite, the coal quality characteristics, main and trace element characteristics, macro and micro occurrence characteristics of Fe-sulphide minerals and sulfur isotope characteristics of marcasite in the ultra-thick coal seam of the Xishanyao formation are tested. On this basis, the occurrence state and genesis of large particle Fe-sulphide minerals in the ultra-thick coal seam of the Xishanyao formation are clarified. The main results and understandings are as follows: (1) the occurrence state of Fe-sulphide minerals in extremely thick coal seams is clarified. The Fe-sulphide minerals in the extremely thick coal seam are mainly marcasite, and concentrated in the YH-2, YH-3, YH-8, YH-9, YH-14, YH-15 and YH-16 horizons. Macroscopically, Fe-sulphide minerals mainly occur in three forms: thin film Fe-sulphide minerals, nodular Fe-sulphide minerals, and disseminated Fe-sulphide minerals. Microscopically, they mainly occur in four forms: flake, block, spearhead, and crack filling. (2) The difference in sulfur isotope of marcasite was discussed, and the formation period of marcasite was preliminarily divided. The overall variation range of the δ34S value of marcasite is wide, and the extreme values are quite different. The polyflake marcasite was formed in the early stage of diagenesis and the δ34S value was negative, while the fissure filling marcasite was formed in the late stage of diagenesis and the δ34S value was positive. (3) The coal quality characteristics of the thick coal seam were analyzed. The organic components in the thick coal seam are mainly inertinite, and the inorganic components are mainly clay minerals and marcasite. (4) The difference between the element content in the thick coal seam of the Zhundong coalfield and the average element content of Chinese coal was compared. The major element oxides in the thick coal seam are mainly CaO and MgO, followed by SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3 and Na2O. Li, Ga, Ba, U and Th are enriched in trace elements. (5) The coal-accumulating environment characteristics of the extremely thick coal seam are revealed. The whole thick coal seam is formed in an acidic oxidation environment, and the horizon with Fe-sulphide minerals is in an acidic reduction environment. The acidic reduction environment is conducive to the formation of marcasite and is not conducive to the formation of pyrite. (6) There are many matrix vitrinite, inertinite content, clay content, and terrigenous debris in the extremely thick coal seam. The good supply of peat swamp, suitable reduction environment and pH value, as well as groundwater leaching and infiltration, together cause the occurrence of large-grained Fe-sulphide minerals in the extremely thick coal seam of the Xishanyao formation in the Zhundong coalfield. Full article
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23 pages, 2345 KiB  
Article
From Waste to Biocatalyst: Cocoa Bean Shells as Immobilization Support and Substrate Source in Lipase-Catalyzed Hydrolysis
by Luciana Lordelo Nascimento, Bruna Louise de Moura Pita, César de Almeida Rodrigues, Paulo Natan Alves dos Santos, Yslaine Andrade de Almeida, Larissa da Silveira Ferreira, Maira Lima de Oliveira, Lorena Santos de Almeida, Cleide Maria Faria Soares, Fabio de Souza Dias and Alini Tinoco Fricks
Molecules 2025, 30(15), 3207; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30153207 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 161
Abstract
This study reports the development of a sustainable biocatalyst system for free fatty acid (FFA) production from cocoa bean shell (CBS) oil using Burkholderia cepacia lipase (BCL). CBS was explored as both a support material and a reaction substrate. Six immobilized [...] Read more.
This study reports the development of a sustainable biocatalyst system for free fatty acid (FFA) production from cocoa bean shell (CBS) oil using Burkholderia cepacia lipase (BCL). CBS was explored as both a support material and a reaction substrate. Six immobilized systems were prepared using organic (CBS), inorganic (silica), and hybrid (CBS–silica) supports via physical adsorption or covalent binding. Among them, the covalently immobilized enzyme on CBS (ORG-CB) showed the most balanced performance, achieving a catalytic efficiency (Ke) of 0.063 mM−1·min−1 (18.6% of the free enzyme), broad pH–temperature tolerance, and over 50% activity retention after eight reuse cycles. Thermodynamic analysis confirmed enhanced thermal resistance for ORG-CB (Ed = 32.3 kJ mol−1; ΔH‡ = 29.7 kJ mol−1), while kinetic evaluation revealed that its thermal deactivation occurred faster than for the free enzyme under prolonged heating. In application trials, ORG-CB reached 60.1% FFA conversion from CBS oil, outperforming the free enzyme (49.9%). These findings validate CBS as a dual-function material for enzyme immobilization and valorization of agro-industrial waste. The results also reinforce the impact of immobilization chemistry and support composition on the operational and thermal performance of biocatalysts, contributing to the advancement of green chemistry strategies in enzyme-based processing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnology and Biomass Valorization)
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16 pages, 3327 KiB  
Article
Development and Evaluation of Selenium-Enriched Compound Fertilizers for Remediation of Mercury-Contaminated Agricultural Soil
by Yuxin Li, Guangpeng Pei, Yanda Zhang, Shuyun Guan, Yingzhong Lv, Zhuo Li and Hua Li
Agronomy 2025, 15(8), 1842; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15081842 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 284
Abstract
Agricultural soil contaminated with mercury (Hg) poses a serious threat to ecosystems and human health. Although adding an appropriate amount of selenium (Se) can reduce the toxicity and mobility of Hg in soil, Se alone is prone to leaching into groundwater through soil [...] Read more.
Agricultural soil contaminated with mercury (Hg) poses a serious threat to ecosystems and human health. Although adding an appropriate amount of selenium (Se) can reduce the toxicity and mobility of Hg in soil, Se alone is prone to leaching into groundwater through soil runoff. Therefore, Se-enriched compound fertilizers were developed, and their remediation effect on Hg-contaminated agricultural soil was determined. The Se-enriched compound fertilizers were prepared by combining an organic fertilizer (vinegar residue, biochar, and potassium humate), inorganic fertilizer (urea, KH2PO4, ZnSO4, and Na2SeO3), and a binder (attapulgite and bentonite). A material proportioning experiment showed that the optimal granulation rate, organic matter content, and compressive strength were achieved when using 15% attapulgite (Formulation 1) and 10% bentonite (Formulation 2). An analysis of Se-enriched compound fertilizer particles showed that the two Se-enriched compound fertilizers complied with the standard for organic–inorganic compound fertilizers (China GB 18877-2002). Compared with the control, Formulation 1 and Formulation 2 significantly reduced the Hg content in bulk and rhizosphere soil following diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) extraction by 40.1–47.3% and 53.8–56.0%, respectively. They also significantly reduced the Hg content in maize seedling roots and shoots by 26.4–29.0% and 57.3–58.7%, respectively, effectively limiting Hg uptake, transport, and enrichment. Under the Formulation 1 and Formulation 2 treatments, the total and DTPA-extractable Se contents in soil and maize seedlings were significantly increased. This study demonstrated that Se-enriched compound fertilizer effectively remediates Hg-contaminated agricultural soil and can promote the uptake of Se by maize. The results of this study are expected to positively contribute to the sustainable development of the agro-ecological environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Innovative Cropping Systems)
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18 pages, 2018 KiB  
Article
Screening and Identification of Cadmium-Tolerant, Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Strain KM25, and Its Effects on the Growth of Soybean and Endophytic Bacterial Community in Roots
by Jing Zhang, Enjing Yi, Yuping Jiang, Xuemei Li, Lanlan Wang, Yuzhu Dong, Fangxu Xu, Cuimei Yu and Lianju Ma
Plants 2025, 14(15), 2343; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14152343 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 297
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal that can greatly affect crops and pose a threat to food security. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are capable of alleviating the harm of Cd to crops. In this research, a Cd-tolerant PGPR strain was isolated [...] Read more.
Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal that can greatly affect crops and pose a threat to food security. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are capable of alleviating the harm of Cd to crops. In this research, a Cd-tolerant PGPR strain was isolated and screened from the root nodules of semi-wild soybeans. The strain was identified as Pseudomonas sp. strain KM25 by 16S rRNA. Strain KM25 has strong Cd tolerance and can produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and siderophores, dissolve organic and inorganic phosphorus, and has 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity. Under Cd stress, all growth indicators of soybean seedlings were significantly inhibited. After inoculation with strain KM25, the heavy metal stress of soybeans was effectively alleviated. Compared with the non-inoculated group, its shoot height, shoot and root dry weight, fresh weight, and chlorophyll content were significantly increased. Strain KM25 increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities of soybean seedlings, reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, increased the Cd content in the roots of soybeans, and decreased the Cd content in the shoot parts. In addition, inoculation treatment can affect the community structure of endophytic bacteria in the roots of soybeans under Cd stress, increasing the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Sphingomonas, Rhizobium, and Pseudomonas. This study demonstrates that strain KM25 is capable of significantly reducing the adverse effects of Cd on soybean plants while enhancing their growth. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Protection and Biotic Interactions)
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15 pages, 1551 KiB  
Article
Migration Safety of Perfluoroalkyl Substances from Sugarcane Pulp Tableware: Residue Analysis and Takeout Simulation Study
by Ling Chen, Changying Hu and Zhiwei Wang
Molecules 2025, 30(15), 3166; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30153166 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 248
Abstract
The rapid growth of plant-based biodegradable tableware, driven by plastic restrictions, necessitates rigorous safety assessments of potential chemical contaminants like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). This study comprehensively evaluated PFAS contamination risks in commercial sugarcane pulp tableware, focusing on the residues of five [...] Read more.
The rapid growth of plant-based biodegradable tableware, driven by plastic restrictions, necessitates rigorous safety assessments of potential chemical contaminants like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). This study comprehensively evaluated PFAS contamination risks in commercial sugarcane pulp tableware, focusing on the residues of five target PFASs (PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxA, PFPeA) and their migration behavior under simulated use and takeout conditions. An analysis of 22 samples revealed elevated levels of total fluorine (TF: 33.7–163.6 mg/kg) exceeding the EU limit (50 mg/kg) in 31% of products. While sporadic PFOA residues surpassed the EU single compound limit (0.025 mg/kg) in 9% of samples (16.1–25.5 μg/kg), the levels of extractable organic fluorine (EOF: 4.9–17.4 mg/kg) and the low EOF/TF ratio (3.19–10.4%) indicated inorganic fluorides as the primary TF source. Critically, the migration of all target PFASs into food simulants (water, 4% acetic acid, 50% ethanol, 95% ethanol) under standardized use conditions was minimal (PFOA: 0.52–0.70 μg/kg; PFPeA: 0.54–0.63 μg/kg; others < LOQ). Even under aggressive simulated takeout scenarios (50 °C oscillation for 12 h + 12 h storage at 25 °C), PFOA migration reached only 0.99 ± 0.01 μg/kg in 95% ethanol. All migrated levels were substantially (>15-fold) below typical safety thresholds (e.g., 0.01 mg/kg). These findings demonstrate that, despite concerning residue levels in some products pointing to manufacturing contamination sources, migration during typical and even extended use scenarios poses negligible immediate consumer risk. This study underscores the need for stricter quality control targeting PFOA and inorganic fluoride inputs in sugarcane pulp tableware production. Full article
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17 pages, 2446 KiB  
Article
Different Phosphorus Preferences Among Arbuscular and Ectomycorrhizal Trees with Different Acquisition Strategies in a Subtropical Forest
by Yaping Zhu, Jianhua Lv, Pifeng Lei, Miao Chen and Jinjuan Xie
Forests 2025, 16(8), 1241; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16081241 - 28 Jul 2025
Viewed by 169
Abstract
Phosphorus (P) availability is a major constraint on plant growth in many forest ecosystems, yet the strategies by which different tree species acquire and utilize various forms of soil phosphorus remain poorly understood. This study investigated how coexisting tree species with contrasting mycorrhizal [...] Read more.
Phosphorus (P) availability is a major constraint on plant growth in many forest ecosystems, yet the strategies by which different tree species acquire and utilize various forms of soil phosphorus remain poorly understood. This study investigated how coexisting tree species with contrasting mycorrhizal types, specifically arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) associations, respond to different phosphorus forms under field conditions. An in situ root bag experiment was conducted using four phosphorus treatments (control, inorganic, organic, and mixed phosphorus) across four subtropical tree species. A comprehensive set of fine root traits, including morphological, physiological, and mycorrhizal characteristics, was measured to evaluate species-specific phosphorus foraging strategies. The results showed that AM species were more responsive to phosphorus form variation than ECM species, particularly under inorganic and mixed phosphorus treatments. Significant changes in root diameter (RD), root tissue density (RTD), and acid phosphatase activity (RAP) were observed in AM species, often accompanied by higher phosphorus accumulation in fine roots. For example, RD in AM species significantly decreased under the Na3PO4 treatment (0.94 mm) compared to the control (1.18 mm), while ECM species showed no significant changes in RD across treatments (1.12–1.18 mm, p > 0.05). RTD in AM species significantly increased under Na3PO4 (0.030 g/cm3) and Mixture (0.021 g/cm3) compared to the control (0.012 g/cm3, p < 0.05), whereas ECM species exhibited consistently low RTD values across treatments (0.017–0.020 g/cm3, p > 0.05). RAP in AM species increased significantly under Na3PO4 (1812 nmol/g/h) and Mixture (1596 nmol/g/h) relative to the control (1348 nmol/g/h), while ECM species showed limited variation (1286–1550 nmol/g/h, p > 0.05). In contrast, ECM species displayed limited trait variation across treatments, reflecting a more conservative acquisition strategy. In addition, trait correlation analysis revealed stronger coordination among root traits in AM species. And AM species exhibited high variability across treatments, while ECM species maintained consistent trait distributions with limited plasticity. These findings suggest that AM and ECM species adopt fundamentally different phosphorus acquisition strategies. AM species rely on integrated morphological and physiological responses to variable phosphorus conditions, while ECM species maintain stable trait configurations, potentially supported by fungal symbiosis. Such divergence may contribute to functional complementarity and species coexistence in phosphorus-limited subtropical forests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Ecophysiology and Biology)
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18 pages, 2688 KiB  
Article
Eco-Friendly Leaching of Spent Lithium-Ion Battery Black Mass Using a Ternary Deep Eutectic Solvent System Based on Choline Chloride, Glycolic Acid, and Ascorbic Acid
by Furkan Nazlı, Işıl Hasdemir, Emircan Uysal, Halide Nur Dursun, Utku Orçun Gezici, Duygu Yesiltepe Özçelik, Fırat Burat and Sebahattin Gürmen
Minerals 2025, 15(8), 782; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15080782 - 25 Jul 2025
Viewed by 394
Abstract
Lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) are utilized in numerous applications due to advancements in technology, and the recovery of end-of-life (EoL) LiBs is imperative for environmental and economic reasons. Pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods have been used in the recovery of metals such as Li, Co, [...] Read more.
Lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) are utilized in numerous applications due to advancements in technology, and the recovery of end-of-life (EoL) LiBs is imperative for environmental and economic reasons. Pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods have been used in the recovery of metals such as Li, Co, and Ni in the EoL LiBs. Hydrometallurgical methods, which have been demonstrated to exhibit higher recovery efficiency and reduced energy consumption, have garnered increased attention in recent research. Inorganic acids, including HCl, HNO3, and H2SO4, as well as organic acids such as acetic acid and citric acid, are employed in the hydrometallurgical recovery of these metals. It is imperative to acknowledge the environmental hazards posed by these acids. Consequently, solvometallurgical processes, which involve the use of organic solvents with minimal or no water, are gaining increasing attention as alternative or complementary techniques to conventional hydrometallurgical processes. In the context of solvent systems that have been examined for a range of solvometallurgical methods, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have garnered particular interest due to their low toxicity, biodegradable nature, tunable properties, and efficient metal recovery potential. In this study, the leaching process of black mass containing graphite, LCO, NMC, and LMO was carried out in a short time using the ternary DES system. The ternary DES system consists of choline chloride (ChCl), glycolic acid (GLY), and ascorbic acid (AA). As a result of the leaching process of cathode powders in the black mass without any pre-enrichment process, Li, Co, Ni, and Mn elements passed into solution with an efficiency of over 95% at 60 °C and within 1 h. Moreover, the kinetics of the leaching process was investigated, and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were used to explain the leaching mechanism. Full article
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20 pages, 2822 KiB  
Article
Nanoparticle Formulation Generated from DDGS and Its Anthraquinone Synthesis Elicitation in Rubia tinctorum Hairy Roots
by Gonzalo Galaburri, Yazmín R. Kalapuj, María Perassolo, Julián Rodríguez Talou, Patricio G. Márquez, Romina J. Glisoni, Antonia Infantes-Molina, Enrique Rodríguez-Castellón and Juan M. Lázaro-Martínez
Polymers 2025, 17(15), 2021; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17152021 - 24 Jul 2025
Viewed by 290
Abstract
A nanoparticle formulation was generated from distiller dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and its effect on the production of anthraquinones (AQs) was evaluated on Rubia tinctorum hairy roots. The DDGS material was washed with water and ethyl acetate to remove mainly the soluble [...] Read more.
A nanoparticle formulation was generated from distiller dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and its effect on the production of anthraquinones (AQs) was evaluated on Rubia tinctorum hairy roots. The DDGS material was washed with water and ethyl acetate to remove mainly the soluble organic/inorganic molecules and reduce the fat content, respectively, followed by an alkaline treatment to remove the polysaccharides. The resulting alkaline solutions were then lyophilized and redispersed in deionized water to generate a monodispersed nanoparticulate formulation (DDGS-NP) with a hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential of 227 ± 42 nm and −53 ± 7 mV, respectively. The formulation demonstrated good colloidal stability over time, and sterilized DDGS-NPs maintained comparable physicochemical properties. The nanoparticles were enriched in protein fractions, unsaturated fatty acids, and orthophosphate anion components from DDGS, as determined by solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), organic elemental analysis (OEA), and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) techniques. The DDGS-NPs were tested at different concentrations on Rubia tinctorum hairy roots, in comparison to or in combination with methyl jasmonate (MeJ), for their capacity to induce the production of AQs. All DDGS-NP concentrations increased the production of specific AQs to 7.7 (100 mg L−1), 7.8 (200 mg L−1), and 9.3 µmol/gFW (500 mg L−1), with an extracellular AQ accumulation of 18 µM for the highest DDGS-NP concentration, in comparison with the control hairy roots (~2 µM AQ). The plant growth was not affected at any of the tested nanoparticle concentrations. Interestingly, the combination of DDGS-NPs and MeJ resulted in the highest extracellular AQ accumulation in R. tinctorum root cultures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites)
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14 pages, 4097 KiB  
Article
Preparation and Performance Evaluation of Graphene Oxide-Based Self-Healing Gel for Lost Circulation Control
by Wenzhe Li, Pingya Luo and Xudong Wang
Polymers 2025, 17(15), 1999; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17151999 - 22 Jul 2025
Viewed by 320
Abstract
Lost circulation is a major challenge in oil and gas drilling operations, severely restricting drilling efficiency and compromising operational safety. Conventional bridging and plugging materials rely on precise particle-to-fracture size matching, resulting in low success rates. Self-healing gels penetrate loss zones as discrete [...] Read more.
Lost circulation is a major challenge in oil and gas drilling operations, severely restricting drilling efficiency and compromising operational safety. Conventional bridging and plugging materials rely on precise particle-to-fracture size matching, resulting in low success rates. Self-healing gels penetrate loss zones as discrete particles that progressively swell, accumulate, and self-repair in integrated gel masses to effectively seal fracture networks. Self-healing gels effectively overcome the shortcomings of traditional bridging agents including poor adaptability to fractures, uncontrollable gel formation of conventional downhole crosslinking gels, and the low strength of conventional pre-crosslinked gels. This work employs stearyl methacrylate (SMA) as a hydrophobic monomer, acrylamide (AM) and acrylic acid (AA) as hydrophilic monomers, and graphene oxide (GO) as an inorganic dopant to develop a GO-based self-healing organic–inorganic hybrid plugging material (SG gel). The results demonstrate that the incorporation of GO significantly enhances the material’s mechanical and rheological properties, with the SG-1.5 gel exhibiting a rheological strength of 3750 Pa and a tensile fracture stress of 27.1 kPa. GO enhances the crosslinking density of the gel network through physical crosslinking interactions, thereby improving thermal stability and reducing the swelling ratio of the gel. Under conditions of 120 °C and 6 MPa, SG-1.5 gel demonstrated a fluid loss volume of only 34.6 mL in 60–80-mesh sand bed tests. This gel achieves self-healing within fractures through dynamic hydrophobic associations and GO-enabled physical crosslinking interactions, forming a compact plugging layer. It provides an efficient solution for lost circulation control in drilling fluids. Full article
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21 pages, 3984 KiB  
Article
Organic Acid Leaching of Black Mass with an LFP and NMC Mixed Chemistry
by Marc Simon Henderson, Chau Chun Beh, Elsayed Oraby and Jacques Eksteen
Recycling 2025, 10(4), 145; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling10040145 - 21 Jul 2025
Viewed by 387
Abstract
There is an increasing demand for the development of efficient and sustainable battery recycling processes. Currently, many recycling processes rely on toxic inorganic acids to recover materials from high-value battery chemistries such as lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxides (NMCs) and lithium cobalt oxide [...] Read more.
There is an increasing demand for the development of efficient and sustainable battery recycling processes. Currently, many recycling processes rely on toxic inorganic acids to recover materials from high-value battery chemistries such as lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxides (NMCs) and lithium cobalt oxide (LCOs). However, as cell manufacturers seek more cost-effective battery chemistries, the value of the spent battery value chain is increasingly diluted by chemistries such as lithium iron phosphate (LFPs). These cheaper alternatives present a difficulty when recycling, as current recycling processes are geared towards dealing with high-value chemistries; thus, the current processes become less economical. To date, much research is focused on treating a single battery chemistry; however, often, the feed material entering a battery recycling facility is contaminated with other battery chemistries, e.g., LFP feed contaminated with NMC, LCO, or LMOs. This research aims to selectively leach various battery chemistries out of a mixed feed material with the aid of a green organic acid, namely oxalic acid. When operating at the optimal conditions (2% solids, 0.25 M oxalic acid, natural pH around 1.15, 25 °C, 60 min), this research has proven that oxalic acid can be used to selectively dissolve 95.58% and 93.57% of Li and P, respectively, from a mixed LFP-NMC mixed feed, all while only extracting 12.83% of Fe and 8.43% of Mn, with no Co and Ni being detected in solution. Along with the high degree of selectivity, this research has also demonstrated, through varying the pH, that the selectivity of the leaching system can be altered. It was determined that at pH 0.5 the system dissolved both the NMC and LFP chemistries; at a pH of 1.15, the LFP chemistry (Li and P) was selectively targeted. Finally, at a pH of 4, the NMC chemistry (Ni, Co and Mn) was selectively dissolved. Full article
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28 pages, 4509 KiB  
Article
Activated Biocarbons Based on Salvia officinalis L. Processing Residue as Adsorbents of Pollutants from Drinking Water
by Joanna Koczenasz, Piotr Nowicki, Karina Tokarska and Małgorzata Wiśniewska
Molecules 2025, 30(14), 3037; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30143037 - 19 Jul 2025
Viewed by 320
Abstract
This study presents research on the production of activated biocarbons derived from herbal waste. Sage stems were chemically activated with two activating agents of different chemical natures—H3PO4 and K2CO3—and subjected to two thermal treatment methods: conventional [...] Read more.
This study presents research on the production of activated biocarbons derived from herbal waste. Sage stems were chemically activated with two activating agents of different chemical natures—H3PO4 and K2CO3—and subjected to two thermal treatment methods: conventional and microwave heating. The effect of the activating agent type and heating method on the basic physicochemical properties of the resulting activated biocarbons was investigated. These properties included surface morphology, elemental composition, ash content, pH of aqueous extracts, the content and nature of surface functional groups, points of zero charge, and isoelectric points, as well as the type of porous structure formed. In addition, the potential of the prepared carbonaceous materials as adsorbents of model organic (represented by Triton X-100 and methylene blue) and inorganic (represented by iodine) pollutants was assessed. The influence of the initial adsorbate concentration (5–150 (dye) and 10–800 mg/dm3 (surfactant)), temperature (20–40 °C), and pH (2–10) of the system on the efficiency of contaminant removal from aqueous solutions was evaluated. The adsorption kinetics were also investigated to better understand the rate and mechanism of contaminant uptake by the prepared activated biocarbons. The results showed that materials activated with orthophosphoric acid exhibited a significantly higher sorption capacity for all tested adsorbates compared to their potassium carbonate-activated counterparts. Microwave heating was found to be more effective in promoting the formation of a well-developed specific surface area (471–1151 m2/g) and porous structure (mean pore size 2.17–3.84 nm), which directly enhanced the sorption capacity of both organic and inorganic contaminants. The maximum adsorption capacities for iodine, methylene blue, and Triton X-100 reached the levels of 927.0, 298.4, and 644.3 mg/g, respectively, on the surface of the H3PO4-activated sample obtained by microwave heating. It was confirmed that the heating method used during the activation step plays a key role in determining the physicochemical properties and sorption efficiency of activated biocarbons. Full article
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19 pages, 1575 KiB  
Article
Looking for New P Fertilizers: Comparative Study of Mineral-, Organomineral- and Organic-Based Fertilizers for Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)
by Lucía Valverde-Vozmediano, Silvia Sánchez-Méndez, Luciano Orden, Miguel A. Mira-Urios, Francisco Javier Andreu, Jose A. Sáez, Encarnación Martínez-Sabater, María Ángeles Bustamante, Javier Martín-Pozuelo and Raúl Moral
Agronomy 2025, 15(7), 1661; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15071661 - 9 Jul 2025
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Abstract
In this study several phosphorus fertilizers were evaluated under controlled production conditions using Lactuca sativa var. baby leaf and a clay-loam soil of pH 6.5 as a plant–soil model system. Various inorganic (phosphate rock, monoammonium phosphate, struvite), organic (bone meal and bone meal [...] Read more.
In this study several phosphorus fertilizers were evaluated under controlled production conditions using Lactuca sativa var. baby leaf and a clay-loam soil of pH 6.5 as a plant–soil model system. Various inorganic (phosphate rock, monoammonium phosphate, struvite), organic (bone meal and bone meal pelletized with compost) and organomineral fertilizers (phosphate rock, monoammonium phosphate, struvite pelletized with compost) were compared. The soil properties, crop yield, morphological aspects and metabolomics of the plants were analyzed. After 45 days of the growing cycle, the organomineral fertilizers (OMFs) composed of compost and monoammonium phosphate (OMF2(MAP+C)) or struvite (OMF3(STR+C)) exhibited the best yield results: 101.37 g and 83.21 g, respectively. These treatments also exhibited the best phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) results: 7.40% and 8.33%, respectively. The yield of plants treated with MAP was 56.01 g, and its PUE was 5.33%. The yield of plants treated with STR was 62.10 g and the PUE was 4.67%. Accordingly, the development of OMFs with compost had a positive effect regarding MAP and STR fertilization. Lettuce fertilized with organic bone meal fertilizers had the lowest yield and nutrient use efficiency. The non-targeted metabolic study of green tissue revealed an overactivation of the TriCarboxylic Acids-TCA cycle and amino acid biosynthesis in plants fertilized with bone meal and phosphate rock treatments, likely as a plant stress response. The overall conclusion of this work is that the development of OMFs with compost is a good strategy to increase soil P availability and, accordingly, plant P uptake and %PUE. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Soil and Plant Nutrition)
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20 pages, 2743 KiB  
Article
Systematic Investigation of Phosphate Decomposition and Soil Fertility Modulation by the Filamentous Fungus Talaromyces nanjingensis
by Xiao-Rui Sun, Pu-Sheng Li, Huan Qiao, Wei-Liang Kong, Ya-Hui Wang and Xiao-Qin Wu
Microorganisms 2025, 13(7), 1574; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13071574 - 3 Jul 2025
Viewed by 410
Abstract
Phosphate-solubilizing microbes (PSMs) in soil play a crucial role in converting insoluble phosphates into plant-available soluble phosphorus. This paper systematically presents a comprehensive array of qualitative and quantitative techniques to assess the phosphate-decomposing capabilities of microbes. Additionally, it introduces two optimized media, namely [...] Read more.
Phosphate-solubilizing microbes (PSMs) in soil play a crucial role in converting insoluble phosphates into plant-available soluble phosphorus. This paper systematically presents a comprehensive array of qualitative and quantitative techniques to assess the phosphate-decomposing capabilities of microbes. Additionally, it introduces two optimized media, namely improved Monkina medium No. 1 and No. 2, which are particularly suitable for detecting the solubilization abilities of microbes toward insoluble organic phosphates. Talaromyces nanjingensis, a novel fungal species recently isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Pinus massoniana, demonstrates remarkable phosphate-solubilizing abilities. Across multiple temperature gradients (15 °C, 20 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C, and 37 °C), it effectively decomposes both insoluble inorganic and organic phosphates. This is achieved through the secretion of organic acids, including gluconic acid (6.10 g L−1), oxalic acid (0.93 g L−1), and malonic acid (0.17 g L−1), as well as phosphate-solubilizing enzymes. Moreover, under low-, medium-, and high-temperature conditions, T. nanjingensis can decompose insoluble phosphates in three types of soil with varying pH levels, thereby enhancing the overall soil fertility. Genomic analysis of T. nanjingensis has identified approximately 308 genes associated with phosphate decomposition and environmental adaptability, validating its superior capabilities and multi-faceted strategies for phosphate mobilization. These findings underscore the wide applicability of T. nanjingensis in maintaining soil phosphorus homeostasis and optimizing the phosphorus use efficiency, highlighting its promising potential for agricultural and environmental applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Microbial Carbon/Nitrogen/Phosphorus Cycling: 2nd Edition)
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25 pages, 1292 KiB  
Article
Screening Decommissioned Oil and Gas Pipeline Cleaners Using Big Data Analytics Methods
by Rongguang Li, Junqi Zhao, Ling Sun, Long Jin, Sixun Chen and Lihui Zheng
Energies 2025, 18(13), 3496; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18133496 - 2 Jul 2025
Viewed by 231
Abstract
Traditional methods, such as full-factorial, orthogonal, and empirical experiments, show limited accuracy and efficiency in selecting cleaning agents for decommissioned oil and gas pipelines. They also lack the ability to quantitatively analyze the impact of multiple variables. This study proposes a data-driven optimization [...] Read more.
Traditional methods, such as full-factorial, orthogonal, and empirical experiments, show limited accuracy and efficiency in selecting cleaning agents for decommissioned oil and gas pipelines. They also lack the ability to quantitatively analyze the impact of multiple variables. This study proposes a data-driven optimization approach to address these limitations. Residue samples from six regions, including Dalian and Shenyang, were analyzed for inorganic components using XRD and for organic components using GC. Citric acid was used as a model cleaning agent, and cleaning efficiency was tested under varying temperature, agitation, and contact time. Key variables showed significant correlations with cleaning performance. To further quantify the combined effects of multiple factors, multivariate regression methods such as multiple linear regression and ridge regression were employed to establish predictive models. A weighted evaluation approach was used to identify the optimal model, and a method for inverse prediction was proposed. This study shows that, compared with traditional methods, the data-driven approach improves accuracy by 3.67% and efficiency by 82.5%. By efficiently integrating and analyzing multidimensional data, this method not only enables rapid identification of optimal formulations but also uncovers the underlying relationships and combined effects among variables. It offers a novel strategy for the efficient selection and optimization of cleaning agents for decommissioned oil and gas pipelines, as well as broader chemical systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhanced Oil Recovery: Numerical Simulation and Deep Machine Learning)
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