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Saccharum officinarum leaves (SL) assisted nano-silica (NS) were synthesized and used as adsorbent to remove Pb 2+ and Zn 2+ from aqueous solutions. The crystalline nature, functional group, and morphology structure of synthesized NS were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) with EDS mapping, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The surface area and charge of the NS were also analyzed by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and zeta potential analysis. Removal efficiency of Pb 2+ and Zn 2+ from aqueous solutions was carried out under batch mode studies (pH, dose, equilibrium time with initial heavy weight metal ion concentration). The adsorption parameters were determined using pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Langmuir, and Freundlich models. The kinetics and isotherms data were well fitted with pseudo-second-order and both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The maximum adsorption capacities for Pb 2+ and Zn 2+ onto NS at room temperature (37 °C) were found to be 148 mg/g and 137 mg/g, respectively. Finally, we conclude that the NS synthesized from SL leaves (agricultural waste material) were found to be economically viable, promising adsorbent for metal ions from aqueous solutions and also efficient technology for waste management.

The present study focused on phosphorus adsorption by novel fungal conidiophores biomass in aqueous solution. Fungal Conidiophores biomass was prepared from the fungal strains Aspergillus oryzae (YFK) and Fusarium oxysporum (YVS2). The functional groups and morphology of Conidiophores Biomass (CB) from these strains were characterized by FTIR and SEM. FTIR confirms the presence of alcohol, carboxylic acid, carbon dioxide, cyclic alkene, amine, alkene, fluoro compound, and halo compound groups. Batch mode study was carried out with two CB’s such as Aspergillus oryzae CB (ACB) and Fusarium oxysporum CB (FCB) with initial concentration of phosphorus ranging from 20 to 100 mg L −1 . Based on the batch experiments, the adsorption kinetics (pseudo first order and pseudo second order), isotherms (Freundlich and Langmuir models), and thermodynamic (standard entropy, energy, and enthalpy) parameters were calculated. The adsorption kinetics and isotherm studies showed that the adsorption data well fitted with PSO kinetic model. From the isotherm results, it was found that ACB and FCB exhibited highest adsorption capacity 25.64 mg g −1 and 26.32 mg g −1 of phosphorus respectively at the optimal condition of pH (7), time (90 min), dose (250 mg), and room temperature (35 °C). Thermodynamics values were found to be endothermic and spontaneous in nature for phosphorus adsorption. Finally, the results suggested that the ACB and FCB are economically feasible cost-effective adsorbent for removal of phosphorus in wastewater treatment. Graphical abstract

This study reported the synthesis and assessment of zinc oxide/iron oxide (ZnO/Fe 2 O 3 ) nanocomposite as photocatalysts for the degradation of a mixture of methylene red and methylene blue dyes. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms that the crystallite of zinc oxide (ZnO) has a hexagonal wurtzite phase and iron oxide (Fe 2 O 3 ) has a rhombohedral phase. Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectrum confirms the presence of Zn–O vibration stretching at 428, 480 and 543 cm −1 stretching confirming Fe–O bond formation. Scanning Electron Microscope images exhibited a diverse size and shape of the nanocomposites. The ZnO-90%/Fe 2 O 3 -10% and ZnO-10%/Fe 2 O 3 -90% nanocomposites reveal good photocatalytic activity with reaction rate constants of 1.5 × 10 −2 and 0.66 × 10 −2 ; and 1.3 × 10 −2 and 0.60 × 10 −2 for methylene blue and methyl red dye respectively. The results revealed that the synthesized ZnO/Fe 2 O 3 nanocomposite is the best catalyst for dye degradation and can be used for industrial applications in future.

The present investigation had made to synthesis of silica nanoparticle (SiNp) from Bambusa vulgaris leaves (BVL) ash by using sol-gel technique and it was utilized for the removal of Cadmium (Cd) and Congo red (CR) in aqueous solutions. Further, the synthesized adsorbent was characterized using instrumental techniques such as XRD, FTIR, FESEM–EDS mapping, TEM, BET, and Zeta potential. In addition, the batch mode technique (such as pH, adsorbent dose, and contact time) was carried out for optimization of Cd and CR removal. The adsorption behavior and capacity was calculated using different isotherms and kinetics. The obtained results of Cd and CR removal were optimized with following parameters such as pH 7, adsorbent dose (100 mg), and equilibrium time (30 min). Also, the adsorbent behavior was found suitable in Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm model and its maximum adsorbent capacity was 133 and 172 mg/g. The kinetic data were better fitted into the pseudo-second order model. The results concluded that the synthesized SiNp was the best adsorbent for the removal of metals, dyes and also economically sound techniques for disposal of agricultural waste. This investigation utilized Bambusa vulgaris leaves for synthesis of silica nanoparticle by sol-gel process and removal of Cadmium and Congo red. Bamboo species are considered one of the fast growing and high yielding plants. Mostly, it has been utilized for making of winnow, basket, fan, and pulp production. Indeed, as per previous reports this leaves are considered as waste; also they analyzed chemical properties of leaves. It contained higher percentage (more than 35%) of silica. Finally, we conclude that synthesized silica nanoparticle are eco-friendly and economically efficient adsorbent for removal of heavy metals as well as dyes in the aqueous solutions and also best solution for agricultural waste management. Highlights Silica nanoparticles were synthesized from Bambusa vulgaris leaves by sol-gel method. Silica nanoparticles were characterized using XRD, FTIR, FESEM–EDS mapping, TEM, BET, and Zeta potential. Cadmium and Congo red were removed using synthesized silica nanoparticles in batch mode. Maximum adsorption capacity (Q o ) of Cd and Congo red were 133, 172 mg/g, respectively.

Hybrid material of surgical mask activated carbon (SMAC) and Fe 2 O 3 (SMAC-Fe 2 O 3 ) composite was prepared by simple co-precipitation method and used as potential material for the remediation of 2,4-dicholrophenol (2,4-DCP). The XRD patterns exhibited the presence of SMAC and Fe 2 O 3 , FTIR spectrum showed the FeO-carbon stretching at the wavenumber from 400 to 550 cm −1 . UV–Vis DRS results showed the band gap was 1.97 eV and 2.05 eV for SMAC-Fe 2 O 3 and Fe 2 O 3 , respectively. The SEM images revealed that the Fe 2 O 3 doped onto the fiber morphology of SMAC. The outcomes of the BET examination exhibited a surface area of 195 m 2 /g and a pore volume of 0.2062 cm 3 /g for the SMAC/Fe 2 O 3 composite. The batch mode study shows the maximum adsorption and photocatalytic degradation efficacies which were 97% and 78%, respectively. The experimental data was studied with both linear and nonlinear adsorption isotherm and kinetics models. The nonlinear Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics (PSOK) models have well fit compared with other models. The Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity ( q max ) was found 161.60 mg/g. Thermodynamic analysis shows that the 2,4-DCP adsorption onto SMAC-Fe 2 O 3 was a spontaneous and exothermic process. The PSOK assumes that the adsorption process was chemisorption. The photocatalytic degradation rate constant of 2,4-DCP was calculated using pseudo-first-order kinetics (PFOK) and the rate constant for SMAC-Fe 2 O 3 and Fe 2 O 3 were 0.859 × 10 −2  min −1 and 0.616 × 10 −2  min −1 , correspondingly. In addition, the obtained composite exhibited good reusability after a few cycles. These results confirmed that SMAC-Fe 2 O 3 composite is an effective adsorbent and photocatalyst for removing 2,4-DCP pollutants.

Metal contamination of soil due to industrial and agricultural activities is increasingly becoming a global problem, thereby affecting animal and human life, thus rendering soil unsuitable for agricultural purposes. Remediation of cadmium (Cd) contaminated soil (Vertisol) using agricultural by products as source of organic amendments, Coir pith- a by-product of the coir industry and Prosopis charcoal- prepared by burning Prosopis plant wood (Prosopis juliflora L.) was investigated. The alleviation potential of Prosopis charcoal and Coir pith on the negative effects of Cd in soil was evaluated in pot culture experiments with Vigna radiata as the test plant, a Cd accumulator. Cadmium addition to soil resulted in accumulation of Cd in all plant parts of V. radiata predominantly in roots. The influence of Cd in the presence and absence of organic amendments on the various biological and chemical parameters of the soil, on the levels of Cd accumulation and on the growth attributes of V. radiata has been assessed. Among the organic amendments, Prosopis charcoal was found to be more effective in reducing the bioavailable levels of Cd in the soil artificially spiked with Cd in graded concentrations of 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 µg g-1 and its accumulation in V. radiata, thus resulting in an increase in the root, leaf and stem biomass. Coir pith, however, was effective in increasing the total mycorrhizal colonization of roots and second in reducing Cd levels in plants. Therefore, Prosopis charcoal was considered best for stabilization of Cd in soil.

Microbial nanoparticles synthesis is a greener approach by which it interconnects the nanotechnology and microbial biotechnology. The present study focussed on the synthesis of AgNP using P. fluorescens YPS3 as a mediated and larvicidal activity of AgNP against Aedes aegypti , Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito. P. fluorescens -YPS3 mediated AgNPs were characterized by UV–visible spectrophotometer, FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM, EDX and HR-TEM analysis. The nature of the nanoparticles were confirmed by EDaX and they were polydispersed and spherical in nature with the average size of 26.67 ± 3 nm. The larvicidal activity of the AgNP revealed prominent toxicity on the tested mosquito larvae. AgNPs showed the LC 50 value as 80.658 μg/ml, 94.225 μg/ml, and 113.238 μg/ml A. aegypti , A. stephensi and C. quinquefasciatus respectively. P. fluorescens —YPS3 synthesized nanoparticles found to have prominent bioactivity on mosquito larvae and thus can be used as biocontrol agent to control mosquito population.

Abstract Phytopathogenic bacteria have caused significant damage to agricultural crops in both controlled and open cultivation practices, imposing heavy losses to farmers. Thereby, the goal of this study was to evaluate Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus stratosphericus isolated from soil has antagonistic activity against bacterial phytopathogens with the potential to control plant diseases. Isolated novel strains of P. aeruginosa and B. stratosphericus showed broad spectrum of antagonistic activity against five bacterial phytopathogens. Antagonistic activity was examined under optimized pH (8 and 7), carbon sources (lactose and starch), nitrogen sources (ammonium chloride, peptone and ammonium nitrate) for P. aeruginosa and B. stratosphericus, respectively, and biocatalyst production (chitinase, protease and amylase) was studied. Additionally, up-regulation of defense-related genes (PR-1a and PAL) was studied in tomato plants treated with P. aeruginosa and B. stratosphericus. The induction of defense-related genes in tomato plant was triggered after 12 h treatment with a cell concentration of 0.20 O.D. for P. aeruginosa and 0.21 O.D. for B. stratosphericus during treatment period. Broad spectrum antagonistic activity was observed due to antibiotic and siderophore production by P. aeruginosa and B. stratosphericus. The antagonistic activity of P. aeruginosa and B. stratosphericus suggests their potential application as promising bio-control agents for controlling bacterial pathogens of agricultural plants.

Hybrid material of surgical mask activated carbon (SMAC) and Fe O (SMAC-Fe O ) composite was prepared by simple co-precipitation method and used as potential material for the remediation of 2,4-dicholrophenol (2,4-DCP). The XRD patterns exhibited the presence of SMAC and Fe O , FTIR spectrum showed the FeO-carbon stretching at the wavenumber from 400 to 550 cm . UV-Vis DRS results showed the band gap was 1.97 eV and 2.05 eV for SMAC-Fe O and Fe O , respectively. The SEM images revealed that the Fe O doped onto the fiber morphology of SMAC. The outcomes of the BET examination exhibited a surface area of 195 m /g and a pore volume of 0.2062 cm /g for the SMAC/Fe O composite. The batch mode study shows the maximum adsorption and photocatalytic degradation efficacies which were 97% and 78%, respectively. The experimental data was studied with both linear and nonlinear adsorption isotherm and kinetics models. The nonlinear Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics (PSOK) models have well fit compared with other models. The Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity (q ) was found 161.60 mg/g. Thermodynamic analysis shows that the 2,4-DCP adsorption onto SMAC-Fe O was a spontaneous and exothermic process. The PSOK assumes that the adsorption process was chemisorption. The photocatalytic degradation rate constant of 2,4-DCP was calculated using pseudo-first-order kinetics (PFOK) and the rate constant for SMAC-Fe O and Fe O were 0.859 × 10  min and 0.616 × 10  min , correspondingly. In addition, the obtained composite exhibited good reusability after a few cycles. These results confirmed that SMAC-Fe O composite is an effective adsorbent and photocatalyst for removing 2,4-DCP pollutants.

This study reported the synthesis and assessment of zinc oxide/iron oxide (ZnO/Fe O ) nanocomposite as photocatalysts for the degradation of a mixture of methylene red and methylene blue dyes. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms that the crystallite of zinc oxide (ZnO) has a hexagonal wurtzite phase and iron oxide (Fe O ) has a rhombohedral phase. Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectrum confirms the presence of Zn-O vibration stretching at 428, 480 and 543 cm stretching confirming Fe-O bond formation. Scanning Electron Microscope images exhibited a diverse size and shape of the nanocomposites. The ZnO-90%/Fe O -10% and ZnO-10%/Fe O -90% nanocomposites reveal good photocatalytic activity with reaction rate constants of 1.5 × 10 and 0.66 × 10 ; and 1.3 × 10 and 0.60 × 10 for methylene blue and methyl red dye respectively. The results revealed that the synthesized ZnO/Fe O nanocomposite is the best catalyst for dye degradation and can be used for industrial applications in future.