Abstract: Nephelium lappaceum is a tropical fruit reported for various bioactivities, including antidiabetic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties. This study aimed to determine the total polyphenol content in different types of rambutan fruit peel extracts (RFPE) from Sulawesi Island and combine it with multivariate calibration analysis. Four types of RFPE, namely rambutan aceh (RA), rambutan rapiah (RR), rambutan garuda (RG), and rambutan lengkeng (RL), were extracted using the maceration method with variations in solvents (70% ethanol and 96% ethanol) and the amount of ethanol solvent (500 ml, 1000 ml, and 1500 ml), resulting in 24 extracts. The wavelength measurements were conducted using FTIR in the 400–4000 cm-1 range, combined with the partial least squares (PLS) method with leave-one-out validation. The research revealed that the highest total polyphenol content was found in RA RFPE with 70% ethanol solvent (1000 ml), reached 12.474 mg equivalent rutin/g extract. Based on the variations, the total polyphenol content followed the RA > RR > RL > RG, 70% ethanol solvent > 96% ethanol solvent, and 1000 ml solvent > 1500 ml > 500 ml. In the wavelength range of 341.40-3429.43 cm-1, variations in RFPE extracts were detected containing functional groups such as hydroxyl groups, carboxylic acids, aromatic rings, and carbonyl groups as polyphenols. Validation of the rutin compound in RFPE extract variations showed SD values ranging from 0.0000 to 0.5686, % CV from 0.01 to 0.25, and using 2 PLS components resulted in optimal values with X variance 0.999870, R-Sq 0.994407, and R-Sq (pred) 0.991514. The FTIR spectrum and multivariate calibration analysis provide an accurate model for determining compounds in various natural extracts.

Abstract: The rising concern over carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions has led to increased research on its conversion into value-added chemicals. Glycerol carbonate (GC), a versatile and eco-friendly compound, can be synthesized via the catalytic carbonylation of glycerol with CO₂. This study investigates the catalytic performance of three novel mixed metal oxide catalysts Ti-Al-Mg, Ti-Cr-Mg, and Ti-Fe-Mg, synthesized via co-precipitation. The catalysts were characterized using XRD, SEM, XPS, FTIR, TGA-DTG, and nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms. Among the tested systems, Ti-Al-Mg demonstrated the highest surface area, optimal porosity, and a balanced acid-base profile, resulting in superior catalytic activity. Under optimized conditions (175 °C, 10 bar CO₂, 4 h), Ti-Al-Mg achieved a maximum GC yield of 36.1%, outperforming Ti-Cr-Mg and Ti-Fe-Mg. The improved performance was attributed to the synergistic effects of its physicochemical properties, including high magnesium content and lower acidity, which favored CO₂ activation and glycerol conversion, while minimizing side reactions. These findings highlight the potential of tailored mixed metal oxide systems for efficient CO₂ immobilization and sustainable glycerol valorization.

Abstract: Three new amide-preformed triphenylamine-diamine monomers, namely 4,4’-bis(p-aminobenzamido)triphenylamine (4), 4,4’-bis(p-aminobenzamido)-4”-methoxytriphenylamine (MeO-4) and 4,4’-bis(p-aminobenzamido)-4”-tert-butyltriphenylamine (t-Bu-4), were synthesized and led to three series of electroactive aromatic poly(amide-imide)s (PAIs) by the two-step polycondensation reactions with commercially available tetracarboxylic dianhydrides. Strong and flexible PAI films could be obtained by solution casting of the poly(amic acid) films followed by thermal imidization or direct solution casting from the organosoluble PAI samples. The PAIs had high glass-transition temperatures of 296−355 oC and showed no significant decomposition before 500 oC. The PAIs based on diamines MeO-4 and t-Bu-4 showed a high electrochemical redox stability, accompanied by strong color changes upon oxidation. For the PAIs derived from diamine 4, the TPA radical cation formed in situ during the electro-oxidative process could dimerize to a tetraphenylbenzidine structure, which led to an additional oxidation state and color change. These PAIs exhibited increased solubility, lowered oxidation potentials, and enhanced redox stability as compared to their corresponding polyimide analogs.

Abstract: Titanium dioxide manganese/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MTiO₂/x-CNT) nanocomposites were successfully prepared using the sol-gel method by reaction specific amounts of CNT with titanium dioxide and manganese, aiming to shift the band edge toward longer wavelengths and provide more effective separation of electron-hole pairs. The MTiO₂ and MTiO₂/CNTs were then characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV–vis absorption spectra. The results confirm the successful synthesis and the presence of Mn and CNT in the nanocomposite. The photocatalytic performance was evaluated by investigating the removal of methylene blue as an example of organic pollutants. Among the various composites examined, the MTiO₂/CNT (5%) exhibited the best performance in removing MB, with a degradation rate exceeding 92% and a rate constant of 2.59 × 10⁻² min⁻¹. These results suggest that this compound could have potential applications in other fields.

Abstract: Thin films of bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass slides were successfully formed by the chemical bath deposition (CBD) method. In this work, a new sulfur precursor L-cysteine was used instead of the typical sulfur precursors such as urea, thiosulfate or thioacetamide used for the formation of Bi2S3 films by the CBD method. The synthesized Bi2S3 thin film on FTO substrate was subjected to characterization techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and UV–Visible spectroscopy analysis. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that initially, Bi2S3 films of amorphous structure with elemental sulfur impurities were formed on the FTO surface. During the annealing of the samples, amorphous Bi2S3 was transformed into its crystalline phase with an average crystallite size of about 22.06 nm. EDS studies confirmed that some of the sulfur not bound to bismuth during annealing was removed from the Bi2S3 films. The influence of the morphology of Bi2S3 films on their optical properties was confirmed by studies in the UV-visible range.

Abstract: Due to its admirable adsorption capacity, activated carbon is used widely as an adsorbent. Thus, it proves to be an effective adsorbent for environmental remediation, water purification, and air cleaning. The present work takes a perspective on the synthesis, characterization, and adsorption behavior of activated carbon from walnut shell, an environmental waste material of huge renewable source. High-surface-area activated carbon with high adsorption capacity was prepared by chemical activation based on the utilization of phosphoric acid. The synthesized AC is characterized by using sophisticated techniques: SEM, FTIR, BET, and XRD. Batch adsorption tests using methylene blue (MB) were carried out to measure adsorption efficiency, with recorded maximum adsorption capacity reaching 450 mg/g. These results highlight the walnut shell activated carbon as an efficient, economical, and green adsorbent. This shows the feasibility of this material on the industrial scale for applications to purify water and air: a safe method for treating agricultural waste besides fighting against environmental pollution. Results reveal that even moderate conditions lead to a very porous architecture with BET surface area higher than 1200 m²/g. FTIR and XRD illustrate functional groups and the presence of amorphous carbon structures, corresponding to SEM images of a well-defined porous network. These results underline that WSAC can serve as an effective, sustainable, and economic adsorbent that can find applications in extra-large environmental applications, elaborating a circular economy concept converting agricultural waste into resources for pollution elimination.

Abstract: Ketones, key biomarkers of fat oxidation, are clinically relevant for metabolic health maintenance and disease development, making continuous monitoring crucial. Here, we present a novel colorimetric sensor for non-invasive, continuous acetone detection in breath and skin for point-of-care applications. The sensor comprises a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) shell encapsulating a highly sensitive and specific liquid-core acetone-sensing probe. Microsphere sensors were characterized by analyzing their size, PDMS shell thickness, colorimetric response, and sensitivity under realistic conditions (100% relative humidity and CO₂ interference). The microsphere size and sensor sensitivity can be controlled by modifying the fabrication parameters. Critically, the sensor showed high selectivity for acetone detection, with negligible interference from CO₂ concentrations up to 4%. Furthermore, the sensor enabled real-time, continuous, non-invasive monitoring. In addition, the sensor displayed excellent reproducibility (CV < 5%) and stability under realistic storage conditions (over two weeks at 4°C). Finally, the accuracy of the microsphere sensor was validated against a gold standard gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method using simulated and real breath samples from Type 1 diabetic patients. The correlation between the microsphere sensor and GC-MS rendered a linear fit of slope equal to 0.94 and an R-squared adjustment of 0.9527. Thus, the liquid-core microsphere-based sensor offers a promising platform for continuous, non-invasive, and cost-effective acetone monitoring, potentially revolutionizing point-of-care diagnostics for metabolic disorders and health management.

Abstract: Solid waste treatment and resourceization critically depend on waste characterization. Heavy metals and critical raw materials are found as trace elements in solid waste dumps. Their reliable quantification plays a critical role for decision risk regarding effective waste management. Reliable quantification of trace elements is a very difficult issue. Hence, the paper addresses a new conservative approach for data analysis in screening for trace element in waste dumps. We propose a theoretical model for statistical data interpretation to overcome the drawbacks of the conventional approaches that are based on unproved hypotheses, like binomial, Poisson or Gaussian distributions of the particles carrying the analyte. Our model addresses concentration values close to the limit of quantification (LOQ) of an analytical method. The model fills the gap of data analysis in case where a set of laboratory outcomes are uniform distributed. Our approach cope with results reported as lower than LOQ. The model was applied on XRFS results carried on tailings to emphasize the differences among classic, robust and conservative data analyses. Classical analyses overestimate the concentration values and sub-evaluate the associated uncertainties which enhances the decision risk. The paper demonstrates that conservative approach is mandatory in case of screening for trace elements if concentration values are uniform distributed. The model can be applied to any solid waste dump, regardless the analytical method used for trace element screening.

Abstract: The increased production of biodiesel results in a corresponding rise in the production of glycerol (GLY) as a by-product. The selective oxidation of glycerol can yield relatively simple products under mild reaction conditions, offering high added value and positioning it as one of the most promising methods for industrialization. In this study, we employed black titanium dioxide (B-TiO2) as a support and deposited platinum (Pt) to create a noble metal-supported catalyst. Lanthanum (La) or cerium (Ce) was doped into B-TiO2 to enhance the concentration of oxygen vacancies in the support, thereby improving catalyst activity. Throughout the research process, we also investigated the impact of varying amounts of La or Ce doping on catalyst performance. Analysis of the catalytic experimental data revealed that Pt/30%Ce-B-TiO2 exhibited the highest catalytic performance. Structural analysis of the catalysts showed that the synergistic effect between Pt0 and oxygen vacancies contributed to enhancing catalyst activity.

Abstract:

To address the rapid crosslinking reaction and short stability duration of polyacrylamide gel under high salinity and temperature conditions, this paper proposes the use of urea to delay the nucleophilic substitution crosslinking reaction among polyacrylamide, hydroquinone, and formaldehyde. At the same time, urea also regulates the precipitation of calcium and magnesium ions, enabling the in situ preparation of an organic/inorganic composite gel of crosslinked polyacrylamide and carbonate particles. With calcium and magnesium ion concentrations at 6817 mg/L and total salinity at 15×10⁴ mg/L, the gelation time can be controlled to range from 6.6 to 14.1 days at 95 °C and from 2.9 to 6.5 days at 120 °C. The corresponding composite gel can remain stable for up to 155 days and 135 days, respectively. The delayed gelation facilitates longer-distance diffusion of the gelling agent into the formation, and the enhancements in gel strength and stability provide a solid foundation for improving the effectiveness of profile control and water shut-off in oilfields. This innovative approach promotes the comprehensive utilization of mineral resources within the formation.

Abstract: This work aimed to evaluate the effect of incorporating a type model active pharmaceutical ingredient in an orally disintegrating film (ODF) based on starch and chitosan on the physicochemical and thermodynamic surface properties. The ODFs were formed using the solvent casting method, with a thickness of 0.04 mm. Chemical analysis performed by vibrational spectroscopy showed strong intermolecular interactions between the components of the polymeric matrix. XRD structural analysis confirmed these interactions from the decrease in crystallinity in the biopolymeric compounds; the active pharmaceutical ingredient did not present changes in the ordering. The inclusion of the drug maintained the hydrophilicity with contact angle values around 62°. However, the water absorption values had increased for the TPS-CH-M-A film by ~90%. The adequate particle dispersion was shown in the SEM of acetaminophen which facilitated the opening of the polymer chains, which increased the soluble solids content in contact with water. Also, the mechanical properties were not affected by the incorporation of acetaminophen particles, the tensile strength values of the polymeric blend were around 24 MPa and the elongation at break was around 4.0%, in the ODF the toughness increased by 8%. These factors allowed disintegration times of 48 s, in vitro dissolution times of 10 min to release ~73% of acetaminophen, and 15 min to release all the active ingredients. Therefore, the chitosan starch-based ODF containing acetaminophen represents a promising system for use in the delivery of pharmaceutical active ingredients.

Abstract:

The main aspect for greener process of materials preparation is taking constituents of the designed material from green sources. Recycling is the fundamental feature for the reutilization of already applied elements with a subsequently minor wasting of raw materials. Transition elements as cobalt, nickel and manganese can be found in a variety of application and several sort of energy storage devices contain a considerable amount of these elements. From as stated before, nowadays is more and more interesting drive research on recovery and separation of cobalt, nickel and manganese from energy storage devices. The MIL (Institute Lavoisier Materials) are metal organic frameworks of high porosity often utilized for a wide variety of application as gas storage, conductivity, electricity storage and supercapacitors, sensing and detection of analytes, environment saving purpose. MIL-53 is the metal organic framework employed in the followed research for cobalt, nickel and manganese adsorption as the first time.

Abstract: In recent years, deep eutectic solvents (DES) have attracted a lot of attention as a substitute for current toxic organic solvents and can be applied in many chemical processes such as extraction and synthesis. Development of new deep eutectic solvents for use in the isolation of valuable biologically active substances with significant benefits for the health, the environment, and others are being investigated with increasing scientific interest. Deep eutectic solvents were prepared using menthol as a hydrogen bond donor and different tertiary amines as hydrogen bond acceptors by varying the ratio of the two constituents. The DES obtained were analyzed using densitometry, viscosimetry, IR, TGA, and DSC. The potential of the DES for extraction and re - extraction was evaluated with a water solution of lactic acid. All the DESs obtained are suitable for the extraction of lactic acid. Deep eutectic solvents based on menthol and DOA (2:1), TOA (2:1), TDDA (1:2) and THA (2:1) show highest results.

Abstract: This review provides an overview of the fabrication methods for Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene-based hybrid photocatalysts and evaluates their role in degrading organic dye pollutants. Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene has emerged as a promising material for hybrid photocatalysts due to its high metallic conductivity, excellent hydrophilicity, strong molecular adsorption, and efficient charge transfer. These properties facilitate faster charge separation and minimize electron-hole recombination, leading to exceptional photodegradation performance, long-term stability, and significant attention in dye degradation applications. Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene-based hybrid photocatalysts significantly improve dye degradation efficiency, as evidenced by higher percentage degradation and reduced degradation time compared to conventional semiconducting materials. This review also highlights computational techniques employed to assess and enhance the performance of Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene-based hybrid photocatalysts for dye degradation. It identifies the challenges associated with Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene-based hybrid photocatalyst research and proposes potential solutions, outlining future research directions to address these obstacles effectively.

Abstract:

The dynamic phosphorylation of the human RNA Pol II CTD establishes a code applicable to all eukaryotic transcription processes. However, the ability of these specific post-translational modifications to convey molecular signals through structural changes remains unclear. We previously explained that each gene can be modeled as a combination of n circuits connected in parallel. RNA Pol II accesses these circuits and, through a series of pulses, matches the resonance frequency of the DNA qubits, enabling it to extract genetic information and quantum teleport it. Negatively charged phosphates react under RNA Pol II catalysis, increasing the electron density on the deoxyribose acceptor carbon. The first pulse of phosphorylation connects tyrosine to the nitrogenous base, while the subsequent pulses link the protein to molecular water through hydrogen bonds. The coupling of hydrogen proton transfer with electron transfer in water generates a supercurrent, which is explained by the correlation of pairs of the same type of fermions exchanging a boson. All these changes lead to the formation of a molecular protein-DNA-water condensate.

Abstract: Cellulose acetate (CA) motion picture films are subjected to degradation especially due to the “vinegar syndrome”, a de-acetylation process catalyzed by high temperature, humidity, and acidity. Acetic acid is released as a by-product of this reaction and acts as a catalyst that triggers an autocatalytic process. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the use of metal oxide, hydroxide, and carbonate nanoparticles, as well as their composite inorganic-organic systems, for the ad-sorption of acetic acid and the inhibition of the deacetylation process. Various nanoparticles [Ca(OH)2, ZnO and CaCO3] were compared in terms of their ability to adsorb glacial acetic acid vapors through gravimetry analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, X-ray dif-fraction (XRD), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The variation in the size and morphology of the nanoparticles was investigated via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), too. Subsequently, the most promising nanoparticles (ZnO) were incorporated into composite organic-inorganic systems, made of Whatman paper (WP) and Poly-Vinyl-alcohol Formaldehyde (PVF) xerogels, and their ability to adsorb acetic acid vapors was again evaluated. Finally, the performance of both the pure ZnO nanoparticles and the organic-inorganic composite systems as inhibitors of the “vinegar syndrome” was assessed on artificially degraded motion picture films using a specifically de-veloped and validated multi-analytical protocol.

Abstract: Dimer and trimer acids are interesting viscous liquids produced from fatty acids derived from renewable sources. The chemical structures of dimer and trimer acids are known and quite complex and are presented here and discussed and further elucidated through the electronic absorption spectroscopy, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy. Dimer and trimer acids find a number of applications as such or under the form of derivatives. In the present study, a series of esters of dimer and trimer acids with alcohols from renewable sources have been synthesized with the purpose to be used as plasticizers for rubber and plastics. The polarity of dimer and trimer acids as well as their esters with alcohols from renewable sources (dimerates and trimerates) were systematically studied using the Nile Red solvatochromic probe. The resulting E(NR) values were compared and discussed with the E(NR) values of the most common rubber and plastics. The compatibility and other physical properties expected from the E(NR) scale was studied and successfully confirmed in tire tread rubber compounds formulations and in nitrile rubber and PVC matrices, confirming once again the sensitivity and the validity of the Nile Red solvatochromic polarity scale for the development of new plasticizers.

Abstract:

The capacity to treat synthetic and real wastewater of a small-scale pilot wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) using the Selective Ion Flow Cells (SIFC) technology (SIC patent title 37239) was evaluated, for this purpose, a one-factorial experimental design was carried out with samples of synthetic wastewater prepared in the laboratory. The relevant factor used was the flow of the sample and the response variables were hydrogen production (clean energy) and different physicochemical parameters: COD, fats and oils, color, pH, conductivity and total solids. The results obtained show that the best flow to treat wastewater was 50 mL/min with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 5.33 hours, reducing synthetic wastewater quality parameters such as COD by 90.54 wt %, fats and oils by 93.8 wt %, apparent color by 90.7 %, true color by 85.4 %, conductivity by 80.9 % and total solids by 83.7 wt % which comply with resolution No. 0631 of 2015 for discharges in Colombia.

Abstract: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in biological samples originate both from exogenous and endogenous sources. Recent studies have highlighted their potential as cancer biomarkers, emphasizing the need for accurate detection methods in clinical settings. However, the analysis of VOCs in whole blood (WB) samples remains challenging due to complex matrix effects caused by protein-VOCs binding phenomenon and lack of standardized sample preparation protocols. Therefore, this study suggests a standardized method for advanced VOC analysis in WB samples specifically for veterinary applications. We compared 12 combinations of reagents composed of protein denaturing reagents and salts, particularly urea mixtures, to enhance VOC decoupling from proteins and improve matrix effect uniformity in gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Among all combinations, urea with NaCl showed optimal performance, demonstrating advancement in the detection sensitivity up to 339.4% and significantly reduced matrix effect variation (-35.5% to 25%) compared to the water-only control. This novel approach eliminates complex procedures while maintaining accuracy, making it particularly suitable for veterinary uses. The method's standardization and improved performance characteristics offer a practical solution for efficient VOC detection in veterinary diagnostics, potentially advancing both environmental exposure monitoring and tumor biomarker research.

Abstract: The biological activities, including cell viability, oxidative stress, genotoxicity/antigenotoxicity, and antimicrobial activity, were evaluated for the visible-light-responsive TiO2-based ICT complex with dihydroquercetin (DHQ) and compared with the pristine TiO2, its inorganic component. Pristine TiO2 did not induce cytotoxicity in MRC-5 or HeLa cells within the tested concentration range (1-20 mg/mL), while TiO2/DHQ displayed a significant reduction in cell viability in both cell lines at higher concentrations (≥10 mg/mL). Analysis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production revealed that TiO2/DHQ significantly reduced ROS levels in both cell types (MRC-5 and HeLa), with HeLa cells showing a more substantial reduction at lower concentrations. Genotoxicity assessment using the comet assay demonstrated that TiO2 induced DNA damage in MRC-5 cells, while TiO2/DHQ did not, indicating that DHQ mitigates the genotoxic potential of TiO2. Furthermore, TiO2/DHQ exhibited antigenotoxic effects by reducing H2O2-induced DNA damage in MRC-5 cells, supporting its protective role against oxidative stress. Preliminary antimicrobial tests revealed that TiO2/DHQ exhibits antimicrobial activity against E. coli under visible light excitation, while TiO2 does not. These findings suggest that TiO2-based ICT complex with DHQ with enhanced antioxidant properties can potentially serve as a safe, non-toxic biocide agent.