Search Results (556)

This work reports a systematic study concerning the synthesis of pure polyaniline ultrafine nanofibers (PANI-NFs) and their nanocomposites with oxygen-functionalized carbon nanotubes (PANI-NFs/O-MWCNTs) using diluted chemical polymerization and hydrothermal processes. We investigated the synergistic effects of various synthesis parameters, such as the concentration of the ammonium persulfate oxidant agent and growth temperature, on the physical, chemical, and electrochemical properties of the resulting products through structural, morphological, spectroscopic, and electrochemical characterization. Our study revealed the successful synthesis of thermally resistant polyaniline ultrafine nanofibers (PANI-NFs) in the form of emeraldine salt (ES), exhibiting a mean diameter in the range of 8–17 nm. The PANI-NFs and PANI-NFs/O-MWCNT nanocomposites demonstrated excellent electrochemical properties, with specific capacitances of up to 0.94–1.23 F cm⁻² and 1410–2074 F/g, respectively, and with good rate capability. These characteristics are confirmed by the relaxation time constant τ₀ (41 and 8 ms, respectively) and lower internal R₀/interfacial charge transfer R_Փ resistances of around 0.2 Ω, as well as diffusion coefficients of around 10⁻⁷ and 3.7 × 10⁻⁷ cm²/s. This breakthrough in nanofiber synthesis paves the way for practical applications in diverse domains, from high-performance energy storage to biosensing and beyond, where the unique electroactive properties of the nanocomposites can be leveraged to achieve exceptional results. Full article

Sustainable fertilizer technologies are essential to address nutrient losses, environmental pollution, and inefficiencies associated with conventional urea application. In this study, humic acid–functionalized starch (St–HA) gel coatings were developed and optimized via a Wurster fluidized-bed system to produce controlled-release urea granules, with an additional carnauba wax outer layer to further extend nutrient release duration. The coating formulation was synthesized through in situ crosslinking of tapioca starch with humic acid using N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide and potassium persulfate, yielding a cohesive film. A central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was employed to investigate the influence of atomizing air pressure, fluidizing air flow rate, fluidized-bed temperature, and spray rate on coating performance. Comprehensive characterization; including FTIR, XRD, rheological analysis, thermogravimetric studies, water retention, biodegradability, and surface abrasion, confirmed chemical crosslinking, structural stability, and mechanical robustness of the coatings. Nitrogen release analysis in both water and soil demonstrated a substantial extension of release longevity from less than 2 days (uncoated) to 18–20 days for St–HA-coated urea, and up to 28 days with the additional wax coating. Coated granules exhibited low abrasion (8–24%), high water-retention capacity, and 68% biodegradation in 60 days, ensuring environmental compatibility. The findings establish St–HA/wax hybrid coatings as a viable, eco-friendly strategy for controlled-release fertilizers, integrating renewable feedstocks with scalable industrial processing for precision nutrient management. Full article

The plugging of fractured gas reservoirs with severe lost circulation during oil and gas drilling and production has long been challenged by technical issues such as low plugging strength and short effective duration. This paper reports the preparation of a high-strength supramolecular gel plugging agent via micellar copolymerization based on the synergistic effects of hydrophobic association and hydrogen bonding. Systematic optimization determined the optimal synthesis formula: acrylamide (AM) 12%, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS) 2%, stearyl methacrylate (SMA) 0.4%, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) 1.5%, and potassium persulfate 0.3%, with a reaction temperature of 60 °C. Performance evaluations revealed that the gel possesses a controllable gelation time (120 min) and excellent viscoelastic recovery properties. At a compressive strain of 87%, the compressive stress reached 1.43 MPa while maintaining structural integrity. Swelling behavior analysis indicated that the gel follows a non-Fickian diffusion mechanism, with its swelling process governed by the synergistic interplay of water molecule diffusion and polymer network relaxation. Core plugging experiments demonstrated that the gel achieved plugging efficiencies exceeding 95% for cores with permeabilities ranging from 0.18 to 0.90 μm², with a maximum breakthrough pressure gradient of up to 11.48 MPa/m. These results highlight the gel’s efficient and broad-spectrum plugging capability for fractured lost circulation zones. This preliminary study provides experimental foundations for the material design and performance optimization of supramolecular gel-based long-lasting plugging agents for severe lost circulation gas reservoirs, and further field-scale validation is required for engineering application. Full article

The water–energy–carbon (WEC) nexus provides a systems framework for minimizing trade-offs among water security, energy reliability, and carbon mitigation. Within this framework, waste-derived biochar catalysts offer a circular pathway that simultaneously valorizes residues, reduces process energy demand, and supports carbon management through stable carbon storage and catalytic co-benefits. This review consolidates recent advances in biochar-based catalysts engineered from agricultural, industrial, municipal, and sludge-derived wastes, highlighting how feedstock selection and thermochemical processing, namely pyrolysis, hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), and torrefaction, as well as activation and post-modification (heteroatom doping and metal/metal-oxide incorporation) govern structure–property–performance relationships. The synthesized catalysts have been widely applied in water and wastewater treatment, including adsorption–advanced oxidation process (AOP) hybrids, Fenton-like systems, peroxydisulfate/persulfate (PS) and peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation, photocatalysis, and the removal of emerging contaminants. They have also demonstrated strong potential in energy conversion processes such as the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORR/OER), biomass reforming, and carbon dioxide (CO₂) conversion. In addition, these materials contribute to carbon management through sequestration pathways, avoided emissions, and life cycle assessment (LCA)-based sustainability evaluations. Finally, we propose a WEC-aligned design roadmap integrating techno-economic analysis (TEA), LCA, and scale-up considerations to guide next-generation biochar catalysts toward robust performance in real matrices and deployment-ready systems. Full article

Fenton-like reactions are broadly employed in advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for the degradation of organic pollutants through catalytic peroxide activation. In this study, NiO was precipitated on a wrinkled SiO₂ to improve catalytic performance. The kinetics and reaction mechanism between the catalyst and S₂O₈²⁻ were studied via following the degradation of methylene blue as a model organic pollutant. The findings indicate that the excellent catalytic activity of Ni/SiO₂ and highly active sulfate radicals enhanced the degradation of methylene blue for environmental remediation. Moreover, the cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendly characteristics of the prepared Ni@SiO₂-persulfate system represents a substantial advancement in the field of catalytic oxidation, contributing valuable knowledge to the development of next-generation catalytic systems. Full article

With the widespread application of aniline, its improper discharge in industrial production and accidental leaks during production and transportation have led to contamination of soil and groundwater environments. Persulfate advanced oxidation technology shows great potential for remediating organic compound pollution. This study focused on a specific aniline-contaminated site to identify oxidants and activators, optimize their ratios, and investigate the effects of relevant factors on oxidative remediation. It also examined changes in the microbial communities at the site before and after contamination, as well as before and after oxidative remediation. We found that the removal efficiency of aniline was most significant when the molar ratio of the optimal oxidant (sodium peroxydisulfate (Na₂S₂O₈)) to the optimal activator (sodium hydroxide (NaOH)) was 1:1. When the initial aniline concentration in the soil reached 1000 mg/kg, it was necessary to increase the amount of the oxidant appropriately to maintain efficient removal. Environmental temperature and the content of organic matter in the soil had a relatively minor impact on the oxidation reaction. Following oxidation, the soil ammonia nitrogen content decreased, whereas nitrate and nitrite concentrations increased, with a significant rise in nitrate levels and substantial production of sulfate ion. Moreover, after aniline contamination, the microbial diversity in the soil of the site decreased, and the abundance of the genus Hydrogenophilus significantly increased. It is noteworthy that following oxidation treatment, the soil microbial community demonstrated a rapid trajectory of functional and structural recovery. Within five days of oxidant application, the community composition shifted from being predominantly composed of aniline-degrading taxa to closely resembling the original site in both community structure and inferred functional potential. Full article

Wellbore instability in shale formations represents a worldwide challenge in drilling engineering. The development of high-performance shale stabilizers is crucial for enhancing wellbore stability. A core–shell structured shale stabilizer, designated AAD-CaCO₃, was synthesized via inverse emulsion polymerization using acrylamide (AM), 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS), and dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride (DMDAAC) as monomers. Nano-CaCO₃ was generated in situ by reacting calcium chloride and sodium carbonate. Sodium bisulfite and ammonium persulfate were used as initiators. The product was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Its effects on the rheological properties and filtration performance of a bentonite-based mud were evaluated. The stabilizer’s efficacy in inhibiting shale hydration swelling and dispersion was evaluated through linear swelling tests and shale rolling dispersion experiments, while its plugging performance was examined via a filtration loss test with a nanoporous membrane and spontaneous imbibition tests. The results indicated that AAD-CaCO₃ possesses a core–shell structure with the nano-CaCO₃ encapsulated by the polymer. It moderately improved the rheology of the bentonite-based mud and significantly reduced both the low-temperature and low-pressure (LTLP) filtration loss and the high-temperature and high-pressure (HTHP) filtration loss. AAD-CaCO₃ could be adsorbed onto shale surfaces through electrostatic attraction, resulting in substantially reduced clay hydration swelling and an increased shale cutting recovery rate. Effective plugging of micro-nanopores in shale was achieved, demonstrating a dual mechanism of chemical inhibition and physical plugging. Full article

This study investigates the activation mechanism of boron-doped carbon (BMC) catalysts for the degradation of the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole (SMX) via persulfate (PMS) activation. The catalysts were synthesized using a sequential double-melting calcination method, resulting in mesoporous carbon nanosheets characterized by hierarchical macro-mesopores and atomically dispersed dual active sites. Comprehensive characterization was performed using BET, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, XPS, XRD, and Raman techniques. The optimized BMC catalyst demonstrated excellent performance, achieving complete removal of sulfamethoxazole (100%) and a high mineralization rate (~90%) within 45 min. Mechanistic analysis, including electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), revealed that the degradation predominantly follows a singlet oxygen (1O2)-dominated pathway. The system exhibited broad applicability to various pollutants, along with notable operational stability and robust resistance to common environmental interferents. Persulfate activation was primarily attributed to boron-active sites, while the hierarchical mesoporous structure facilitated both pollutant enrichment and catalytic efficiency. Full article

In this study, the advanced oxidation system of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) was activated by molybdenite supported on biochar (Molybdenite@BC), and the degradation efficiency, influencing factors and degradation mechanism of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) were explored through experiments. Molybdenite@BC, a composite material used in the study, was prepared by pyrolysis at high temperature. The optimum pyrolysis temperature was 700 °C, and the mass ratio of molybdenite to biochar (BC) was 1:3. By changing dosage of Molybdenite@BC, pH value, initial concentration of PMS, and the types and concentration of inorganic anions, the effects of various factors on SMX degradation were systematically studied. The optimum reaction conditions of the Molybdenite@BC/PMS process were as follows: Molybdenite@BC dosage was 100 mg/L, PMS concentration was 0.2 mM, pH value was 6.9 ± 0.2, and initial SMX concentration was 6 mg/L. Under these conditions, the degradation rate of SMX was 97.87% after 60 min and 99.06% after 120 min. The material characterization analysis showed that Molybdenite@BC had a porous structure and rich active sites, which was beneficial to the degradation of pollutants. After the composite material was used, the peaks of MoO₂ and MoS₂ became weaker, which indicated that there was some loss of molybdenum from the material structure. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and radical quenching experiments revealed that Molybdenite@BC effectively catalyzed PMS to generate various reactive oxygen radicals and non-free radicals, including singlet oxygen (¹O₂), hydroxyl radical (^•OH), sulfate radical (SO₄^•−) and superoxide radical (^•O₂⁻). ¹O₂ played a leading role in the degradation of SMX, while ^•OH and SO₄^•− had little influence. The intermediate products of the degradation of SMX in Molybdenite@BC/PMS system were analyzed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS). The results showed that there were nine main intermediate products in the process of degradation, and the overall toxicity tended to decrease during the degradation of SMX. The degradation path analysis showed that with the gradual ring opening and bond breaking of SMX, small molecular compounds were generated, which were finally mineralized into H₂O, CO₂, CO₃²⁻, H₂SO₄ and other substances. The research results confirmed that the Molybdenite@BC/PMS process provided a feasible new method for the degradation of SMX in water. Full article

The widespread application of Rhodamine B (RhB) poses a serious threat to the aquatic environment. ZnFe₂O₄, as a catalyst material, can effectively activate persulfate (PMS) and respond to visible light, thus effectively degrading RhB with the joint assistance of sunlight and PMS. This study recovered Fe₂O₃ from high-iron coal gangue through an activating–acid leaching–extracting–back-extracting process and synthesized ZnFe₂O₄ catalysts (CG-ZFO) using coal gangue back-extraction liquid as the Fe source by a hydrothermal method and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-assisted hydrothermal method. The characterization results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) showed that the CG-ZFO has a pure crystal phase, and the addition of CTAB can effectively improve the photoelectric performance of the catalyst. The synthesized CG-ZFO can produce a significant synergistic effect with simulated sunlight (SS) and PMS, and the constructed SS/CG-ZFO/PMS system had a good degradation effect on RhB. Based on the conclusions of free radical-quenching experiments, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), the main active species in the SS/CG-ZFO/PMS system was identified as ₁O², and the degradation mechanism of RhB was elucidated. CG-ZFO prepared from coal gangue holds promising potential for application in the remediation of organic dye wastewater, and this study also provides a new approach for the resource regeneration of high-iron coal gangue. Full article

Alginate is a natural polysaccharide extracted from brown algae and is commonly used as a biomaterial scaffold in tissue engineering. In this study, we performed phenol functionalization of sodium alginate based on chemical modification methods using 1-ethyl-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide/N-hydroxybutanediimide/2-(N-morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid (EDC/NHS/MES) and tyramine. The presence of phenol groups was confirmed by spectrophotometry and Fourier Transform Infrared. We successfully prepared hydrogels using a horseradish peroxidase/hydrogen peroxide (HRP/H₂O₂) enzymatic system as well as an sodium persulfate (SPS)/ruthenium light-crosslinking system. Optimization identified 1 mM ruthenium and 4 mM SPS as the most effective photo crosslinking conditions. At the same time, 1 mM H₂O₂ and 10 U/mL HRP are considered optimal conditions for the enzyme-linked reaction. Rheological measurements monitored the gelation process, revealing that the viscosity, storage modulus, and loss modulus of the material increased by at least one hundredfold after crosslinking. Thixotropy results demonstrated excellent recovery of the material. Texture analysis indicated that the crosslinked material possessed notable strength and toughness, highlighting its potential applications in tissue engineering after 3D bioprinting. Full article

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are increasingly used for the remediation of soils contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons, as they rapidly mineralize recalcitrant fractions to CO₂ and H₂O. However, the effects of AOPs on the geotechnical properties of such soils remain not well understood. In this study, the influences of a combined oxidation system of sodium percarbonate (SPC), nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI), and sodium persulfate (PS) on the geotechnical behavior of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil were investigated. A series of tests, including basic geotechnical index, pH, Atterberg limits, particle size distribution, and consolidated undrained triaxial compression test, were conducted to explore the geotechnical responses and underlying mechanisms associated with the dual AOPs treatment. The results indicate that the diesel-contaminated soil exhibited slightly higher LL and PI compared with the natural soil. For the treated soils, LL and PI remained essentially unchanged with increasing SPC dosage. The particle-size distribution first migrated to finer fractions and then reverted to a coarser mode. The strongest fining was observed at 2% SPC, whereas higher SPC dosages induced aggregation and the formation of larger agglomerates. Consolidated undrained triaxial tests indicate that diesel contamination reduced undrained stiffness and strength. The nZVI–PS treatment without SPC produced a partial recovery in stiffness and a slight increase in the friction angle. With increasing SPC dosage, the soils exhibited a nonmonotonic response in stiffness and shear strength, where low SPC enhanced apparent cohesion and higher SPC weakened bonds while partially restoring frictional resistance. These findings suggest that advanced oxidation of petroleum hydrocarbon–contaminated soils requires a trade-off. This trade-off is between contaminant degradation efficiency and the preservation of geotechnical performance to ensure the reuse of the remediated soil. Full article

This study addresses the challenges of low-pressure oil well workover operations, namely, severe loss of water-based workover fluid, significant reservoir damage from conventional temporary plugging agents, and slow production recovery, by focusing on the yet-mechanistically unclear “fuzzy-ball workover fluid.” Laboratory experiments combined with field data were used to evaluate its plugging performance and reservoir-protective mechanisms. In sand-filled tubes (diameter 25 mm, length 20–100 cm) sealed with the fuzzy-ball fluid, the formation’s bearing capacity increased by 3.25–18.59 MPa, showing a positive correlation with the plugging radius. Compatibility tests demonstrated that mixtures of crude oil and workover fluid (1:1) or crude oil, workover fluid, and water (1:1:1) held at 60 °C for 80 h exhibited only minor apparent viscosity reductions of 4 mPa·s and 2 mPa·s, respectively, indicating good stability. After successful plugging, a 1% ammonium persulfate solution was injected for 2 h to break the gel; permeability recovery rates reached 112–127%, confirming low reservoir damage and effective gel-break de-blocking. Field data from five wells (formation pressure coefficients 0.49–0.64) showed per-well fluid consumption of 33–83 m³ and post-workover liquid production index recoveries of 5.90–53.30%. Multivariate regression established mathematical relationships among bearing capacity, production index recovery, and fourteen geological engineering parameters, identifying the plugging radius as a key factor. Larger radii enhance both temporary plugging strength and production recovery without harming the reservoir, and they promote production by expanding the cleaning zone. In summary, the fuzzy-ball workover fluid achieves an integrated “high-efficiency plugging–low-damage gel-break–synergistic cleaning” mechanism, resolving the trade-off between temporary-plugging strength and production recovery in low-pressure wells and offering an innovative, environmentally friendly solution for the sustainable and efficient exploitation of oil–gas resources. Full article

In this study, three benign oxidants, potassium ferrate (Fe(VI)), sodium persulfate (PS), and sodium percarbonate (SPC), were combined with nonthermal plasma (NTP) to enhance the degradation of Malachite Green (MG) and Metanil Yellow (MY). Experimental factors, including dye concentration, oxidant dose, and treatment time, were optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The hybrid systems achieved markedly improved decolorization rates, with maximum efficiencies exceeding 99% within 30 min, compared to 96% for NTP alone. Kinetic analysis confirmed significantly higher rate constants for NTP-assisted oxidants, particularly NTP + Fe (VI) (k_obs = 0.127 min⁻¹), followed by NTP + PS (0.114 min⁻¹) and NTP + SPC (0.098 min⁻¹). Enhanced mineralization, together with stable pH and controlled conductivity variations, further substantiated the efficient breakdown of the dye molecules. Phytotoxicity assays demonstrated that untreated dyes severely inhibited germination. In contrast, effluents treated with NTP + PS and NTP + Fe (VI) restored germination and root growth to levels comparable to the deionized water (DIW) control, indicating substantial toxicity reduction. These results confirm that NTP-oxidants significantly improve oxidation performance, accelerate reaction kinetics, and yield environmentally safe effluents suitable for practical wastewater remediation. Full article

In this study, CuO nanoparticles were synthesised by chemical precipitation assisted by ultrasonic irradiation (UI), a rapid and environmentally friendly procedure without high temperature that enhances the sustainability of the synthesis process. They were also employed as a catalyst to activate peroxydisulfate (PDS) in the removal of ciprofloxacin (CIP) from a polluted solution. The effects of various factors, such as CIP concentration, catalyst dosage, PDS concentration, and initial pH, on the efficiency of this contaminant treatment were investigated. Under optimal conditions, CIP and TOC removal reached 100% and 49%, respectively, after only 30 min of reaction time and using high initial concentrations of CIP (20 mg/L), PDS (0.5 mM), and CuO (0.5 g/L) in pH (10). For the best set of processing conditions, pseudo-first-order reaction rate kinetics can be assumed and characterised. The possible degradation pathway of CIP is also suggested. Furthermore, by quenching experiment, the presence of O₂⁻*, *OH, and SO₄⁻* were identified, with O₂⁻* being a radical species with great impact on CIP removal. This study demonstrates that, in alkaline environments, ultrasonically synthesised CuO can effectively activate PDS for the degradation of CIP, achieving total removal within 30 min. The results indicate that UI-synthesised CuO is a very promising catalyst for the removal of emerging organic pollutants. Full article