Advanced Uranium Removal with Pure, Nonfluorinated Ionic Liquids: Fine-Tuning Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Properties for Enhanced Selectivity.

Ionic liquids (ILs) have significant potential for eco-friendly extraction of uranium from aqueous solutions, which is critical for nuclear technology, fuel cycle management, and environmental protection. This study examines the impact of the adjustable hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties of ILs on the removal of uranium(VI) (UO22+) from aqueous solutions utilizing both a novel hydrophilic IL (1-butoxyethyl-1-methylmorpholinium butoxyethylphosphite - Mor1-2O4-BOEP) and 1-heptyl-1-methylmorpholinium heptylphosphite (Mor1-7-HP) as an example of a hydrophobic IL with a similar structure. The transfer mechanism of uranyl ions from water to organic or solid phases closely depends on the physicochemical properties of ILs, especially their hydrophobicity. The hydrophobic Mor1-7-HP extracts uranyl via neutral complex formation as UO2(NO3)2-(Mor1-7-HP)2. Conversely, hydrophilic Mor1-2O4-BOEP induced selective precipitation as UO2(NO3)-(BOEP), transferring uranyl to the solid phase. Optimization of the working parameters, in terms of acidity of the aqueous solution and amount of ILs used, allowed the extraction of over 98% of U(VI). The stoichiometry of the organic complex and the precipitate was determined using physicochemical techniques. These tunable H-phosphonate-based ILs have advantages over traditional solvent extraction and conventional ILs, allowing easier handling, improved selectivity, and lower environmental impact. This work advances uranium separation techniques with applications in hydrometallurgy, particularly in the treatment of wastewater and radioactive waste for sustainable uranium recovery.

Eco-friendly extraction of antibacterial compounds from enriched olive pomace: a design-of-experiments approach to sustainability.

The increasing interest in utilizing olive pomace bioactive molecules to advance functional elements and produce antioxidant and antimicrobial additives underscores the need for eco-friendly extraction and purification methods. This study aims to develop an eco-friendly extraction method to evaluate the effect of extraction parameters on the recovery of bioactive molecules from enriched olive pomace. The effects were identified based on total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity, employing a design of experimental methodology. The positive and the negative simultaneous effects showed that among the tested enrichments, those incorporating Nigella Sativa, dates, and coffee demonstrated superior results in terms of the measured responses. Furthermore, chromatographic analysis unveiled the existence of intriguing compounds such as hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, and squalene in distinct proportions. Beyond this, our study delved into the structural composition of the enriched pomace through FTIR analysis, providing valuable insights into the functional groups and chemical bonds present. Concurrently, antimicrobial assays demonstrated the potent inhibitory effects of these enriched extracts against various microorganisms, underscoring their potential applications in food preservation and safety. These findings highlight enriched olive pomace as a valuable reservoir of bioactive molecules for food products since they can enhance their anti-oxidative activity and contribute to a sustainable circular economy model for olive oil industries.

Study of Structural and Optical Properties of Electrodeposited Silicon Films on Graphite Substrates.

Silicon (Si) films were deposited on low-cost graphite substrates by the electrochemical reduction of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (nano-SiO2) in calcium chloride (CaCl2), melted at 855 °C. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used to analyze the electrochemical reduction mechanism of SiO2 to form Si deposits on the graphite substrate. X-ray diffraction (XRD) along with Raman and photoluminescence (PL) results show that the crystallinity of the electrodeposited Si-films was improved with an increase of the applied reduction potential during the electrochemical process. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals that the size, shape, and morphology of the Si-layers can be controlled from Si nanowires to the microcrystalline Si particles by controlling the reduction potentials. In addition, the morphology of the obtained Si-layers seems to be correlated with both the substrate materials and particle size of the feed materials. Thus, the difference in the electron transfer rate at substrate/nano-SiO2 interface due to different applied reduction potentials along with the dissolution rate of SiO2 particles during the electrochemical reduction process were found to be crucial in determining the microstructural properties of the Si-films.

Molecularly imprinted curcumin nanoparticles decorated paper for electrochemical and fluorescence dual-mode sensing of bisphenol A.

A molecularly imprinted paper-based analytical device (MIP-µPAD) was developed for the sensing of bisphenol A (BPA). The platform was screen-printed onto a filter paper support, where the electrodes and the fluorescence µPADs were designed. Owing to its dual electrochemical and fluorescence responses, molecularly imprinted curcumin nanoparticles were used to sense BPA. The µPAD design was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and electrochemical techniques. The sensor design comprised a wide linear range from 1 to 200 µg L-1 with limits of detection of 0.47 ± 0.2 and 0.62 ± 0.3 µg L-1 (LOD, S/N = 3) for electrochemical and fluorescence sensing, respectively. Furthermore, the system showed good analytical performance such as selectivity, stability, and reproducibility. The feasibility of the MIP-µPAD was demonstrated for the sensing of BPA in seawater, foods, and polycarbonate plastic packaged water with recovery values of 97.2 and 101.8%.

Curcumin graphite pencil electrode modified with molybdenum disulfide nanosheets decorated gold foams for simultaneous quantification of nitrite and hydrazine in water samples.

A non-enzymatic sensor based on a curcumin modified pencil graphite electrode, loaded with molybdenum disulfide nanosheets decorated gold foam, was constructed. Herein, the electrochemical deposition strategy was adopted throughout the sensing platform design stepwise. The electroactivity of the pencil electrode platform enables sensitive simultaneous quantification of hydrazine and nitrite where the respective working potentials typically are at + 0.2 V for hydrazine and + 0.75 V for nitrite (both vs. Ag/AgCl, saturated KCl). It is shown that the resulting sensor demonstrates excellent analytical performances in terms of limits of detection (18.3, 21.7 nM), sensitivities (0.051, 0.061 µA µM-1), and reproducibility standard deviations (RSD) of 3.1 and 2.7% for hydrazine and nitrite, respectively. Furthermore, long term stability studies showed that the electrodes exhibited an effectively unchanged response after some 30 days. The sensor was used to analyze spiked samples of river water and industrial wastewater.

Reduced graphene oxide nanosheets modified with nickel disulfide and curcumin nanoparticles for non-enzymatic electrochemical sensing of methyl parathion and 4-nitrophenol.

A method was designed for simultaneous voltammetric determination of methyl parathion pesticide (MP) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). Curcumin nanoparticles were deposited on reduced graphene oxide nanosheets that were modified with nickel disulfide. The material was placed on a screen-printed carbon electrode and then displayed high electrocatalytic activities toward MP and 4-NP, with a peak potential near -0.9 and - 0.7 V (vs. pseudo Ag/AgCl), respectively. Figures of merit include (a) good electrochemical sensitivities (7.165 and 6.252 µA·µM-1·cm-2), (b) wide linear ranges (from 0.25 to 80 µM), (c) low limits of detection (8.7 and 6.9 nM at S/N = 3) for MP and 4-NP, respectively, and (d) good selectivity, repeatability, reproducibility, and storage stability. The method was applied in the determination of MP and 4-NP in tomato and apple juices and spiked river water. Graphical abstract A novel electrocatalysis platform based on reduced graphene oxide-nickel disulfide nanosheets decorated with curcumin nanoparticles for simultaneous quantification of methyl parathion and 4-nitrophenol in various vegetarian juices and water samples.

Voltammetric simultaneous quantification of p-nitrophenol and hydrazine by using magnetic spinel FeCo2O4 nanosheets on reduced graphene oxide layers modified with curcumin-stabilized silver nanoparticles.

A sensor based on a screen-printed carbon electrode loaded with curcumin-stabilized silver nanoparticle-coated reduced graphene oxide magnetic spinel (FeCo2O4) nanosheets was constructed. The electrocatalytic activity of the electrode enables sensitive simultaneous quantification of hydrazine and p-nitrophenol. The respective working potentials typically are at +0.15 V for hydrazine and at -0.75 V for p-nitrophenol (both vs. pseudo Ag/AgCl), and the detection limits are 23 nM and 18 nM (at S/N = 3). Good selectivity, repeatability, reproducibility and storage stability are shown. The sensor was used to analyze spiked samples of river water and industrial wastewater. Graphical abstract Schematic of an electrochemical sensor for simultaneous quantification of hydrazine and 4-nitrophenol in various natural and wastewater samples. The electrocatalyst in this sensor is composed of graphene oxide nanosheets modified with a magnetic spinel of type FeCo2O4 and os curcumin-stabilized silver nanoparticles.

Graphene nanosheets modified with curcumin-decorated manganese dioxide for ultrasensitive potentiometric sensing of mercury(II), fluoride and cyanide.

A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified by electropolymerization of curcumin on MnO2-Gr nanosheets to obtain a detection method for Hg(II) and for the anions fluoride and cyanide. The complexation by curcumin can be monitored by potentiometry. The results revealed a cathodic shift for the simultaneous detection of fluoride and cyanide and an anodic shift for the mercury(II) sensing, with peak potentials of -0.24, 0.12 and 0.82 V, respectively (vs. Ag/AgCl). The modified GCE is fairly selective, reproducible and repeatable. The detection limits are 19.2 nM for Hg(II), 17.2 nM for fluoride, and 28.3 nM for cyanide (LOD, S/N = 3). The method was successfully applied to the analysis of spiked samples of tap water, river water and petrochemical refinery wastewater. Graphical abstract Schematic of an electrochemical curcumin-MnO2-graphene nanosheet platform for the simultaneous assay of fluoride, cyanide and mercury(II) in the ppb concentration range in various natural and wastewater samples.

Investigation on the interaction of Safranin T with anionic polyelectrolytes by spectrophotometric method.

Understanding the role played by chemical additives such as NaCl salt, acid and Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC) surfactant on the interaction between dye and polyelectrolyte contributes to optimization of processes using polyelectrolytes in the removal of dye from aqueous solution. Herein we focus in the interaction between Safranin T, a cationic dye, with two anionic polyelectrolytes, poly(ammonium acrylate) and poly(acrylic acid) using spectrophotometric method and conductivity measurement. In aqueous solution, each of anionic polyelectrolytes forms a complex with the dye and induces a metachromasy indicated by the blue shift of the absorbance of the dye. The stoichiometry of complexes evaluated by the molar ratio method are 1:1 for Safranin T poly(ammonium acrylate) and 2:1 in the case of Safranin T poly(acrylic acid). The effect of additives on the stability of complexes has been studied by varying concentrations of the salt and the surfactant and pH of the solution. The thermodynamic parameters of interaction ΔG, ΔH and ΔS at different temperatures were evaluated to determine the stability constant of the complexes.