Fabrication of sulfonated polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membranes with an excellent antifouling performance by impregnating with polysulfopropyl acrylate coated ZnO nanoparticles

Sulfonated polyethersulfone/sulfopropyl methacrylate membranes impregnated with the polysulfopropyl acrylate coated ZnO nanoparticles were developed using a non-solvent-induced phase separation recipe. The composite membranes offered much-enhanced hydrophilicity and improved porosity, which are critical for the excellent antifouling performance and high permeate flux. By adding polysulfopropyl acrylate modified ZnO, it achieved the maximum water flux of 420 Lm−2h−1 while maintained the natural organic matter rejection rate of 99% with an excellent flux recovery ratio up to 99% in the antifouling measurement. The results display that the impregnation of ZnO nanoparticles in the sulfonated polyethersulfone membrane can effectively increase the surface hydrophilicity which is essential for reducing the irreversible fouling with improved long-term performance and excellent recyclability

Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue and antibacterial activity of mesoporous TiO2-SBA-15 nanocomposite based on rice husk

Concerns have been increased regarding the existence of pollutants in environmental water resources and their risks to the ecosystem and human society. TiO2 photocatalyst is considered as an effective photocatalyst to remove the pollutants. Herein, the mesoporous TiO2-SBA-15 was prepared using the rice husk extract as the silica source. The fabricated nanocomposites were characterized using FTIR, small and wide angle XRD, Raman spectroscopy, UV-vis, BET surface area analysis, and HRTEM. The photocatalytic efficiency of the composites for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) has been evaluated under UV irradiation. Interestingly, due to the excellent dispersion of TiO2 on the wall of SBA-15 and good hydrophilicity, the nanocomposites displayed a good catalytic activity. The higher photodegradation performance was achieved by the composite containing 10 wt% TiO2 by which the MB was fully degraded within 15-20 min of irradiation. Besides, TiO2-SBA-15 could effectively inhibit the growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. These results offer a practical and economic approach in the environmental management industries

Investigation of Fe-Doped Graphitic Carbon Nitride-Silver Tungstate as a Ternary Visible Light Active Photocatalyst

The rapid population growth and economic development have largely contributed to environmental pollution. Various advanced oxidation processes have been used as the most viable solution for the reduction of recalcitrant pollutants and wastewater treatment. Heterogeneous photocatalysis is one of the broadly used technologies for wastewater treatment among all advanced oxidation processes. Graphitic carbon nitride alone or in combination with various other semiconductor metal oxide materials acts as a competent visible light active photocatalyst for the removal of recalcitrant organic pollutants from wastewater. Rational designing of an environment-friendly photocatalyst through a facile synthetic approach encounters various challenges in photocatalytic technologies dealing with semiconductor metal oxides. Doping in g-C3N4 and subsequent coupling with metal oxides have shown remarkable enhancement in the photodegradation activity of g-C3N4-based nanocomposites owing to the modulation in g-C3N4 bandgap structuring and surface area. In the current study, a novel ternary Fe-doped g-C3N4/Ag2WO4 visible light active photocatalyst was fabricated through an ultrasonic-assisted facile hydrothermal method. Characterization analysis included SEM analysis, FTIR, XRD, XPS, and UV-Visible techniques to elucidate the morphology and chemical structuring of the as-prepared heterostructure. The bandgap energies were assessed using the Tauc plot. The ternary nanocomposite (Fe-CN-AW) showed increased photodegradation efficiency (97%) within 120 minutes, at optimal conditions of pH = 8, catalyst dose = 50 mg/100 ml, an initial RhB concentration of 10 ppm, and oxidant dose 5 mM under sunlight irradiation. The enhanced photodegradation of rhodamine B dye by ternary Fe-CN-AW was credited to multielectron transfer pathways due to insertion of a Fe dopant in graphitic carbon nitride and subsequent coupling with silver tungstate. The data were statistically assessed by the response surface methodology.The authors thank Taif University for the generous financial support by the Taif University Researchers Supporting Project, no. (TURSP-2020/90), Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia

Spectroscopic Characterization, Thermogravimetry and Biological Studies of Ru(III), Pt(IV), Au(III) Complexes with Sulfamethoxazole Drug Ligand

Complexes of Ru(III), Pt(IV), and Au(III) with sulfamethoxazole (SMX) were experimentally produced. The resulted formations of novel metal complexes were discussed using several techniques, such as effective magnetic moment molar conductivity, IR, UV, and 1H NMR spectra, elemental analyses, thermal analysis, microscopic and XRD analyses. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the solid powders of the synthesized sulfamethoxazole complexes indicated their identical formulation. The surface uniformity of the complexes’ samples was confirmed by SEM images. These complexes appear as spots, dark in appearance, with particle sizes of 100–200 nanometers in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) pictures. The sulfamethoxazole ligand was shown to be bidentate coordinated to the metallic ions with sulfonyle oxygen and amido nitrogen groups, according to IR spectral data. Both Ru(III) and Au(III) complexes have an electrolytic nature, but the Pt(IV) complex has non-electrolytic properties. TG and DTG experiments proved the assigned composition and provided information regarding the thermal stability of complexes in a dynamic air atmosphere, according to the thermal analysis. The effect of the novel prepared complexes was examined for antibacterial and antifungal activity in vitro against a variety of pathogens, and they exceeded the sulfamethoxazole ligand in antibacterial activity. It was observed that the Pt(IV) complex has the ultimate activity versus all the assessed organisms relative to all compounds

Synthesis of catalyzed polyurethane films using varying content of isocyanates, glycols, and chain extenders

Polyurethane (PU) films are regarded as an important polymeric class in coating sectors. PU exhibits various advantageous features like coatings to shield metals and wooden objects, adhesives, sealants, and elastomeric properties in a broader perspective to boost the appearance and packaging. In the medical field, PU shows bactericidal qualities for real-world uses, but efforts are required to strengthen the antibacterial characteristics in polyurethane films. The present research is intended to develop five (05) different novel polyurethane films with excellent anti-bacterial properties. Polyurethane films were prepared using isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) as aliphatic diisocyanate, 1, 4-Butanediol (BDO) as chain extender, and Polytetra-methylene glycol-1000 (PTMG-1000) and Polytetra-methylene glycol-2000 (PTMG-2000) as glycol. The reaction was conducted in a polymerization chamber using 2,2-Dimorpholinodiethylether (DMDEE) and 4–4, bioxdimorphline as a catalyst. Surface morphology and characteristics, thermal stability, tensile and viscoelastic properties were characterized using SEM, XRD, FTIR, contact angle, TMA, tensile and rheometry testing. Furthermore, an anti-bacterial test was performed to confirm PU film usage as an occlusive dressing. FTIR results of PU films based on PTMG2000 & IPDI, PTMG1000 & IPDI, and PTMG2000 & HDI showed an increase in hydrogen bonding with the intensity of the C = O band when the NCO: OH concentration was increased. But due to incompatibility of the (OH) soft segment of glycol with the hard (NCO) segment of isocyanate caused a drop in the peak strength of PU films based on PTMG2000 & HDI and PTMG1000 & IPDI. The tensile strength is trending upward for these PU samples PTMG2000 & IPDI, PTMG1000 & IPDI, and PTMG2000 & HDI. While the PTMG2000 & HDI polyurethane sample has the highest tensile strength (105 MPa) and the lowest elongation (12.2 %) at break point. (XRD and (SEM) Results showed that the crystallinity of the synthesized polyurethane films was affected by varying the NCO: OH content and this content favored the formation of ordered structure as higher peak intensities in these PU samples PTMG2000 & IPDI, PTMG1000 & IPDI, and PTMG2000 & HDI

Use of <i>Euphorbia balsamifera</i> Extract in Precursor Fabrication of Silver Nanoparticles for Efficient Removal of Bromocresol Green and Bromophenol Blue Toxic Dyes

Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) are attracting great attention for their use in various applications, along with methods for their green and facile production. In this study, we present a new eco-friendly approach based on the use of Euphorbia balsamifera extract (EBE) in the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), which are then applied as a reducing and stabilizing agent for the efficient removal of water-based reactive dyes such as bromocresol green (BCG) and bromophenol blue (BPB). The as-prepared Ag-NPs are quasi-spherical in shape, with an average diameter of 20–34 nm. Diverse characterization methods, including X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, were used to analyze these Ag-NPs. The results reveal that water-soluble biomolecules in the Euphorbia balsamifera extract play an important role in the formation of the Ag-NPs. The removal of toxic dyes was studied under varied operational parameters such as Ag-NP dosage, initial dye concentration, pH, stirring time, and temperature. Under the optimum investigated conditions, nearly 99.12% and 97.25% of the bromocresol green and bromophenol blue dyes, respectively, were removed. Both BCG and BPB adsorption were found to adhere to pseudo-second-order kinetics (r22 = 1 and 0.995) and fit the Langmuir isotherm models well (R12 = 0.998 and 0.994), with maximal monolayer adsorption capacities of 20.40 and 41.03 mg/g, respectively. Their adsorption processes were observed to be intrinsically endothermic. The results confirm the potential of the Euphorbia balsamifera extract as a low-cost, nontoxic, and eco-friendly natural resource for the synthesis of Ag-NPs that may be useful in the remediation of hazardous dye-contaminated water sources

Towards superior permeability and antifouling performance of sulfonated polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membranes modified with sulfopropyl methacrylate functionalized SBA-15

A non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) process was used to fabricate a series of sulfonated polyethersulfone (SPES) membranes blending with different concentrations of SBA-15-g-PSPA with the applications in the ultrafiltration (UF) process. SBA-15 was modified with 3-methacrylate-propyltrimethoxysilane (MPS) to form SBA-15-g-MPS. It was further modified with the charge tailorable polymer chains by reacting with 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate potassium salt. The nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed and finger-like channels were developed within the membrane. The adding of surface modified SBA-15-g-PSPA nanoparticles has significantly improved membrane water permeability, hydrophilicity, and antifouling properties. The pure water fluxes of the composite SPES membranes were significantly higher than the pristine SPES membrane. For the membrane containing 5% (mass) of SBA-15-g-PSPA (MSSPA5), the pure water flux was increased dramatically to 402.15 L·m−2·h−1, which is ∼1.5 times that of MSSPA0 (268.0 L·m−2·h−1). The high flux rate was achieved with 3% (mass) of SBA-15 nanoparticles with retained high rejection ratio 98% for natural organic matter. The results indicate that the fashioned composite membrane comprising SBA-15-g-PSPA nanoparticles have a promising future in ultrafiltration applications

Novel Porous Organic Polymer for High-Performance Pb(II) Adsorption from Water: Synthesis, Characterization, Kinetic, and Isotherm Studies

The aim of the current study was to develop a novel triphenylaniline-based porous organic polymer (TPABPOP-1) by the Friedel–Crafts reaction for the efficient elimination of Pb(II) from an aqueous environment. XPS, FTIR, SEM, TGA, and 13C CP/MAS NMR analyses were applied to characterize the synthesized TPABPOP-1 polymer. The BET surface area of the TPABPOP-1 polymer was found to be 1290 m2/g. FTIR and XPS techniques proved the uptake of Pb(II) was successfully adsorbed onto TPABPOP-1. Using batch methods, Pb(II) ion adsorption on the TPABPOP-1 was studied at different equilibrium times, pH values, initial Pb(II) concentration, adsorption mass, and temperature. The outcomes exhibited that the optimum parameters were t: 180 min, m: 0.02 g, pH: 5, T: 308 K, and [Pb(II)]: 200 mg/L. Nonlinear isotherms and kinetics models were investigated. The Langmuir isotherm model suggested that the uptake of Pb(II) was favorable on the homogeneous surface of TPABPOP-1. Adsorption kinetics showed that the PFO model was followed. Pb(II) removal mechanisms of TPABPOP-1 may include surface adsorption and electrostatic attraction. The uptake capacity for Pb(II) was identified to be 472.20 mg/g. Thermodynamic factors exhibited that the uptake of Pb(II) was endothermic and spontaneous in standard conditions. Finally, this study provides effective triphenylaniline-based porous organic polymers (TPABPOP-1) as a promising adsorbent with high uptake capacity

Electron-transfer complexation of morpholine donor molecule with some π – acceptors: Synthesis and spectroscopic characterizations

Morpholine is an interesting moiety that used widely in several organic syntheses. The intermolecular charge-transfer (CT) complexity associated between morpholine (Morp) donor with (monoiodobromide “IBr”, 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone “DDQ”, 2,6-dichloroquinone-4-chloroimide “DCQ” and 2,6-dibromoquinone-4-chloroimide “DBQ”) π–acceptors have been spectrophotometrically investigated in CHCl3 and/or MeOH solvents. The structures of the intermolecular charge-transfer (CT) were elucidated by spectroscopic methods like, infrared spectroscopy. Also, different analyses techniques such as UV-Vis and elemental analyses were performed to characterize the four morpholine [(Morp)(IBr)], [(Morp)(DDQ)], [(Morp)(DCQ)] and [(Morp)(DBQ)] CT-complexes which reveals that the stoichiometry of the reactions is 1:1. The modified Benesi-Hildebrand equation was utilized to determine the physical spectroscopic parameters such as association constant (K) and the molar extinction coefficient (ε)

Electron-transfer complexation of morpholine donor molecule with some π – acceptors: Synthesis and spectroscopic characterizations

Morpholine is an interesting moiety that used widely in several organic syntheses. The intermolecular charge-transfer (CT) complexity associated between morpholine (Morp) donor with (monoiodobromide “IBr”, 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone “DDQ”, 2,6-dichloroquinone-4-chloroimide “DCQ” and 2,6-dibromoquinone-4-chloroimide “DBQ”) π–acceptors have been spectrophotometrically investigated in CHCl3 and/or MeOH solvents. The structures of the intermolecular charge-transfer (CT) were elucidated by spectroscopic methods like, infrared spectroscopy. Also, different analyses techniques such as UV-Vis and elemental analyses were performed to characterize the four morpholine [(Morp)(IBr)], [(Morp)(DDQ)], [(Morp)(DCQ)] and [(Morp)(DBQ)] CT-complexes which reveals that the stoichiometry of the reactions is 1:1. The modified Benesi-Hildebrand equation was utilized to determine the physical spectroscopic parameters such as association constant (K) and the molar extinction coefficient (ε)