Mixed-valent cobalt phosphate/borophene nanohybrids for efficient electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction.

Developing efficient, low-cost, non-precious and stable electrocatalyst is necessary for sustainable electrocatalytic water splitting. Recently, borophene has emerged as a novel two-dimensional material with exciting properties. Although several researchers have theoretically predicted its applicability towards effective electrocatalytic water splitting, studies on its practical applications are still limited. In this regard, a mixed-valent cobalt phosphate/borophene nanohybrid (BCoPi) was synthesized using hydrothermal method, and its activity towards oxygen evolution reaction (OER) was systematically studied. The electron-deficient nature of borophene enables activation of catalytic sites and facilitates electron transport owing to its highly conductive nature. It can act as a proton acceptor along with phosphate groups, as well as provide multiple secondary active sites in addition to Co, breaking the scaling relation of OER. For BCoPi, achieving a current density of 50 mA cm-2, 100 mA cm-2 and 500 mA cm-2 requires an overpotential of 337 mV, 357 mV and 401 mV, respectively, in an alkaline medium, that are superior to pristine cobalt phosphate (CoPi). It also exhibits low Tafel slope of 61.81 mV dec-1, suggesting faster OER kinetics and excellent long-term stability. This study will extend the development and application of borophene-based heterostructures for highly active and stable electrocatalysts for various applications.

Arthrospira sp. mediated bioremediation of gray water in ceramic membrane based photobioreactor: process optimization by response surface methodology.

Direct discharge of raw domestic sewage enriched with nitrogenous and phosphorous compounds into the water bodies causes eutrophication and other environmental hazards with detrimental impacts on public and ecosystem health. The present study focuses on phycoremediation of gray water with Arthrospira sp. using an innovative hydrophobic ceramic membrane-based photobioreactor system integrated with CO2 biofixation and biodiesel production, aiming for green technology development. Surfactant and oil-rich gray water collected from the domestic kitchen was used wherein, chloride, sulfate, and surfactant concentrations were statistically optimized using response surface methodology (RSM), considering maximum microalgal growth rate as a response for the design. Ideal concentrations (mg/L) of working parameters were found to be 7.91 (sulfate), 880.49 (chloride), and 144.02 (surfactant), respectively to achieve optimum growth rate of 0.43 gdwt/L/day. Enhancement of growth rate of targeted microalgae by 150% with suitable CO2 (19.5%) supply and illumination in the photobioreactor affirms its efficient operation. Additionally, harvested microalgal biomass obtained from the process showed a biodiesel content of around 5.33% (dry weight). The microalgal treatment enabled about 96.82, 87.5, and 99.8% reductions in BOD, COD, and TOC, respectively, indicating the potential of the process in pollutant assimilation and recycling of such wastewater along with value-added product generation.

The study elucidated the application of indigenously designed and devised ceramic membranes in an algal photobioreactor for viable production of Arthrospira sp. employing gray water, aided by photosynthetic CO₂ sequestration and microalgal biorefinery. A highly encouraging result was achieved in the microalgal process under optimized culture conditions with >95% removal of organics. It may be stressed here that the process ran effectively without any elaborate arrangement of external aeration, thereby reducing the investment and operating costs to the minimum.

Graphene oxide wrapped Mix-valent cobalt phosphate hollow nanotubes as oxygen evolution catalyst with low overpotential.

Development of an efficient, stable and inexpensive catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is critical to electrochemical water splitting. In this regard, a precious-metal free electrocatalyst has been synthesized employing a hydrothermal route. The prepared graphene oxide wrapped cobalt phosphate nanotubes deposited on Ni foam electrode shows a low overpotential of 234 mV at a current density of 10 mA/cm2 for OER in 1(M) KOH, lower than a benchmarking electrocatalyst IrO2 at the same current density. The performance figures clearly defy the volcano limitations. The mixed-valency induced delocalization of charge satisfies Sabatier Principle for ideal catalysts and graphene oxide ensures improved charge transfer. Moreover, the designed electrocatalyst performs efficiently even on prolonged use under mass transfer limitation conditions.

Synthesis of NiAl- layered double hydroxide with nitrate intercalation: Application in cyanide removal from steel industry effluent.

Cyanide contamination in steel plant wastewater is a challenge. Nitrate intercalated nickel aluminum layered double hydroxide (LDH) is specially designed and synthesized for adsorption of cyanide from wastewater. The LDH was characterized by Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and BET surface analyzer. Formation of nanosized plate like LDH particles was confirmed by FESEM analysis. FTIR analysis confirmed the intercalation of nitrate ions in the interlayer space of nickel-aluminum layered double hydroxide. Adsorption of cyanide in the LDH matrix was identified by FTIR study. Ion exchange was the prevalent mechanism of cyanide adsorption. The specific surface area of LDH was 142 m2/g with average pore size of 1.9 nm. The spent LDH could be regenerated using a chemical method and was reused up to five cycles. The efficiency of the LDH was evaluated using real life cyanide containing wastewater from steel plant.

Anabaena sp. mediated bio-oxidation of arsenite to arsenate in synthetic arsenic (III) solution: Process optimization by response surface methodology.

Blue green algae Anabaena sp. was cultivated in synthetic arsenite solution to investigate its bio-oxidation potential for arsenic species. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed based on a 3-level full factorial design considering four factors, viz. initial arsenic (III) concentration, algal dose, temperature and time. Bio-oxidation (%) of arsenic (III) was considered as response for the design. The study revealed that about 100% conversion of As (III) to As (V) was obtained for initial As (III) concentration of 2.5-7.5 mg/L at 30 °C for 72 h of exposure using 3 g/L of algal dose signifying a unique bio-oxidation potential of Anabaena sp. The dissolved CO2 (DCO2) and oxygen (DO) concentration in solution was monitored during the process and based on the data, a probable mechanism was proposed wherein algal cell acts like a catalytic membrane surface and expedites the bio-oxidation process. Bioaccumulation of arsenic, as well as, surface adsorption on algal cell was found considerably low. Lipid content of algal biomass grown in arsenite solution was found slightly lower than that of algae grown in synthetic media. Toxicity effects on algal cells due to arsenic exposure were evaluated in terms of comet assay and chlorophyll a content which indicated DNA damage to some extent along with very little decrease in chlorophyll a content. In summary, the present study explored the potential application of Anabaena sp. as an ecofriendly and sustainable option for detoxification of arsenic contaminated natural water with value-added product generation.