Digital Commons Network^™

Determination Of Mitoxantrone In Environmental Waters: A Spectrophotometric Method With Preconcentration By Salt Saturated Pipette-Tip Micro Solid Phase Extraction Using Molecularly Imprinted Polymer, Sayyed Hossein Hashemi, Massoud Kaykhaii, Ahmad Jamali Keikha, Mina Esmailiun

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

In this research, a fast and simple spectrophotometric method is presented for mitoxantrone determination in various aqueous samples. It utilizes preconcentration by salt saturated pipette-tip micro solid phase extraction with a selective molecularly imprinted polymer adsorbent packed in a micropipette tip. Prior to sample loading, they were saturated with a mixture of NaCl, Mg (NO3)2.6H2O and KNO3 salts, enhancing extraction efficiency by 27.5% compared to salt-free conditions. Key microextraction parameters (amount of molecularly imprinted polymer, sample pH, eluent type/volume, and adsorption/desorption cycles) were optimized using response surface methodology and one-variable-at-a-time methods. The method achieves a low detection limit (0.2 μg …

Removal Of Heavy Metal Iron(Ii) Ions From Wastewater Using An Ultrasonic System With Climbazole-Alcohol, Melek Gökmen Karakaya, Bahdi̇şen Gezer, Abdullah Menzek, Özlem Gündoğdu Aytaç

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Climbazole (CBZ) is an antifungal active pharmaceutical ingredient often used in antidandruff products. In this study, the ketone group in the racemic CBZ molecule was reduced to synthesize CBZ-alcohol, named 1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-1-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-3,3-dimethylbutan-2-ol, and the optimum adsorption conditions were investigated for removing iron(II) (Fe2+) ions from wastewater by adsorption from aqueous solutions using the economical and environmentally friendly ultrasonic method. The parameters and levels used in the study were designed using response surface methodology and model equations were derived to optimize the results. The independent variables selected were the initial pH (1, 3, and 5), adsorption time (30, 45, and 60 min), …

Enhanced And Proficient Chitosan Membranes Embedded With Polyaniline-Tio2 Core-Shell Nanocomposites For Fuel-Cell Hydrogen Storage, Mallikarjunagouda Patil, Sridhar N. Mathad, Arun Y. Patil, Abdulaziz Abdulah Al-Kheraif, Sachin Naik, Sajith Vellapally

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

This study investigates the preparation and properties of aniline polymerized in situ onto a nanosized TiO2 surface to form core-shell nanoparticles at ambient temperatures. The in situ polymerization of aniline to polyaniline (PANI), in conjunction with the utilization of an anionic surfactant, was employed in this investigation. The prepared PANI-TiO2 core-shell nanoparticles were integrated with chitosan at a gravimetric ratio and cast as core-shell nanocomposite membranes. The nanocomposites were subjected to structural analysis using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction patterns. The surface morphologies of the PANI and its nanocomposites were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. Direct current conductivity …

Removal Of Ddt, Ddd, And Dde From Washing Extracts Of Contaminated Soil Using Polyaniline/Bagasse Composite Material, Hop Quang Nguyen, Bach Xuan Nguyen, Thien Quang Tran, Anh Van Nguyen

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Polyaniline (PANi) was hybridized with a bagasse (BG) substrate to treat Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane compounds, which are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) causing environmental contamination. The PANi/bagasse (PA/BG) composite was synthesized using ammonium persulfate and sulfuric acid, achieving efficiencies ranging from 82.63% to 86.92% with different ratios of PANi monomer to BG. Infrared spectroscopy (IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the synthesized materials. The adsorption capacities of DDT, DDD, and DDE compounds were investigated under various conditions, including adsorbent type, adsorption time, adsorbent dosage, and adsorbate concentration. Both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were …

Dispersive Micro Solid Phase Extraction Of Cadmium On Mil-53(Al)@Batio3 Nanocomposite From Seafood Samples, Mustafa Soylak, Eda Bora, Furkan Uzcan

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

This study’s main goal was to produce a user-friendly dispersive micro solid phase extraction (dmSPE) technique with a MIL-53(Al)@BaTiO3 nanocomposite for the extraction and preconcentration of cadmium (Cd) in various seafood matrices, followed by using high-resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS-FAAS). The MIL-53(Al)@BaTiO3 nanocomposite was synthesized and characterized using a range of techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis. The dmSPE technique involved the dispersion of the MIL-53(Al)@BaTiO3 material in the sample solution, followed by its separation from the sample matrix. The optimized method exhibited a …

Pt-Enhanced Wo3 Nanoparticles For Efficient Hydrogen Production: Synthesis And Electrochemical Evaluation, Merve Akbayrak

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

In this study, Pt/WO3 nanoparticles were synthesized using a simple room-temperature impregnation-reduction method and characterized by advanced techniques including ICP, TEM-EDX, FE-SEM-EDX, and XRD. The ICP-OES analysis confirmed a 1.0 wt. %Pt loading on the WO3 support. TEM and FE-SEM analyses revealed that the Pt nanoparticles were well dispersed with an average size of approximately 3.7 nm. The XRD patterns showed characteristic WO3 peaks without any detectable Pt diffraction peaks, indicating the high dispersion of Pt. Electrochemical evaluations demonstrated that the Pt/WO3 catalyst exhibited outstanding hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance, with –27.8 mV vs. RHE onset potential and –37.4 mV …

A Single Batch Synthesis Of Pure Phase Mo2c From Ammonium Molybdate: Pathway And Properties, Melek Cumbul Altay

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

This study presents an original, effective, and environmentally friendly method for synthesizing pure molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) from ammonium molybdate tetrahydrate (AMT) without generating carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. The process involves the sequential transformation of AMT to Mo2C, which follows the reaction pathway of (NH4)6Mo7O24→MoO3→MoO2→Mo→Mo2C. This transformation is achieved by strategically altering the gas atmosphere, switching from Ar to H2 at 800 K and then from H2 to CH4 at 1000 K. Thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques were used to characterize AMT and the products. Mass measurements were used to follow the conversion of …

Determination Of P53 Biomarker With A Smart Electrochemical Biosensor Based On Brush Polymer-Functionalized Disposable Electrode, Muhammet Aydin

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

A label-less impedimetric biosensor modified with poly(thiophene)-graft-poly(glycidyl methacrylate) polymer (PThi-g-PGM) was manufactured for p53 protein quantification in human serum samples. In this study, PThi-g-PGM polymer was synthesized, and this polymer matrix was coated using the spin-coating technique on the single-use indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate for anti-p53 antibody immobilization. The anti-p53 antibodies with high affinity for p53 proteins were covalently attached onto the PThi-g-PGM-coated electrode surface. In addition, the affinity of anti-p53 for the p53 protein was monitored at a constant frequency. Under optimized conditions, the impedimetric changes were linearly related to the p53 concentrations, ranging from 0.05 to 15 …

Highly Sensitive And Selective Detection Of Klk4 In Human Serum With A Low-Cost Electrochemical Biosensor, Eli̇f Burcu Aydin

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

An ultrasensitive impedimetric immunosensor was fabricated using a poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) polymer-covered indium tin oxide (ITO) platform for the quantification of kallikrein 4 (KLK4), an important prostate cancer biomarker. PGMA had suitable biocompatibility and nontoxicity for loading of antiKLK4 antibodies on the ITO substrate surface. Anti-KLK4 biomolecules were directly attached to the PGMA-covered electrode surface via epoxy groups of the PGMA polymer. The preparation method for the PGMA matrix-modified electrode was simple and inexpensive. The proposed biosensor immobilization layers coated on the ITO electrode were characterized with electrochemical techniques. The experimental parameters that affect biosensor response were optimized, and the …

Physical And Chemical Characterization Of Recycled Glass Sand For Environmental Restoration, Shehbaz Ahmad, Julie P. Vanegas, Nicholas Borne, Natalia Butler, Toby Mendels, Leah A. Michaeloff, Diego Molina, Mary Salvaggio, Samantha Tamayo, Franziska Trautmann

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

Introduction

We rely on coastal resources for food, water, and energy. However, over 75% of U.S. coastlines are eroding. Concurrently, the U.S. recycles less glass than other developed countries, landfilling hundreds of millions of tons every year. Recycled glass sand has many potential benefits over natural sand for combatting land loss; for example, it can be produced with controlled particle size to better resist erosion, making it an excellent—and underutilized—material for environmental restoration.

Objectives

This research compares the physical and chemical properties of recycled glass sand to natural sands (beach and dredge) from the U.S. Gulf Coast to assess environmental …

Technical Communication Instruction Partnership With Engineering Faculty, Ashley S. Mcguire, Michael M. Lipscomb

Libraries Professional Work

Graduate students in STEM fields are often expected to communicate – both in writing and orally – at a professional level by the time they submit their theses and dissertations. Unfortunately, many graduate students lack opportunities to learn how to do that in a STEM setting. An informal review of US programs revealed that many offer writing courses modeled on traditional composition courses, which are not necessarily directed to the needs of STEM students. Further, many of these courses provide a series of isolated learning modules with little continuity or encouragement to revise and in which technological writing assistance is …

2d Cuo/Rgo Nanocomposite: A Novel Architecture For Enhanced Cr(Vi) Photo-Reduction, Islam Gomaa, Nasser M. Hosny, Medhat A. Ibrahim

Nanotechnology Research Centre

he urgent need for efficient detoxification of carcinogenic hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in aquatic environments has driven the development of advanced photocatalytic materials. This study presents the synthesis of 2D CuO/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposite via probe sonication, designed to synergistically enhance the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) to less toxic Cr(III). The nanocomposite was meticulously characterized using XRD, HRTEM, FESEM, XPS, and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Structural analysis confirmed the formation of CuO nanosheets (average size: 396 nm, thickness: 6 nm) integrated with rGO, where the rGO acted as an electron acceptor, mitigating charge recombination. XPS revealed Cu²⁺ in CuO and …

Photo-Crosslinked Persistent Micelle Templates With Near Universal Solvent Compatibility, Coby S. Collins, Mengxue Zhang, Cj Strurgill, Christian X. Ruff, Bryce Melton, Morgan Stefik

Faculty Publications

The controlled preparation of porous nanomaterials from block polymer templates is important for diverse applications from energy devices to optical coatings and sorbents. The architectural dimensions determine the overall performance for many of these applications, however the independent control of these dimensions has remained limited to a narrow range of solvent conditions for kinetically trapped (“persistent”) micelle templates. Polymers with a photo-reactive chemistry are shown to enable cross-linked micelle templates that universally remain persistent under diverse solvent conditions. Specifically, poly(poly(ethylene glycol methacrylate))-b-poly(butyl methacrylate-co-coumarin methacrylate) (OBC) was prepared by RAFT polymerization and the resulting micelles were crosslinked …

Integrated Density Functional Theory And Experimental Study Of Optical And Electronic Properties For Mos2/ (Metal=Au, Pt, Ni, Cu) And Mos2/Graphene/Metal Heterointerfaces, Shishir Timilsena, Sanju Gupta, Muhammad I. Bhatti, Nicholas Dimakis

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications

We present computational simulations and experimental analyses of various heterointerfaces constructed from two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and graphene on gold (Au), platinum (Pt), nickel (Ni), and copper (Cu) substrates. We combined density functional theory electronic structure, optical properties, and work function to elucidate heterostructure changes due to metal selection, corroborated with experimentally determined surface electronic properties. Here, we correlate shifts in the metal d-band center relative to the Fermi energy with the MoS2 bandgaps and bandgaps in the Dirac point region of the MoS2/graphene/Metal heterointerfaces. For the Ni heterointerfaces, the upshift of the metal d-band relative to the Fermi energy …

Simple Yet Effective, Effective Yet Inclusive: A Skincare Line, Ayesha Wali Rahimoon

Lawrence University Honors Projects

This honors project addresses the lack of inclusive skincare formulations by developing a scientifically grounded skincare line with an antioxidant-rich serum, moisturizer, and cleanser tailored to support diverse skin types, particularly melanin-rich skin. The serum combines strawberry extract powder, Manuka honey, niacinamide, green tea extract, and humectants to promote hydration, antioxidant protection, and skin barrier reinforcement. Formulated with a stable pH of 5.0–5.5 and an effective preservative system, the product was tested through non-animal, biologically relevant models.

A UV protection assay using HEK293 cells demonstrated that the serum significantly reduces oxidative damage, increasing post-exposure cell viability to 80%, compared to …

Shrinkage Study In Photopolymerisable Hybrid Sol-Gel Through Holographic Patterning, Jamshed Aftab, Izabela Naydenova, Tatsiana Mikulchyk

Articles

Photopolymerisation induced shrinkage of holographic materials is one of the main factors which needs to be considered for designing holographic optical elements (HOEs) with high accuracy in light redirection with maximum efficiency. This work studies the shrinkage in photopolymerisable hybrid sol-gel (PHSG) by examining the properties of volume transmission gratings recorded in PHSG layers. It explores both the dependence of shrinkage on the holographic grating parameters (thickness, spatial frequency, slant angle) and the effect of material aging. By using the fringe-plane rotation model, shrinkage is found to have the maximum value of 1.37 % at 765 lines/mm (19.36° slant angle) …

Advancing The Functional Diversity Of Hydrazone Photoswithces, Daniil Sosnin

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Photochromic materials have drawn increasing interest for their ability to control functional systems and biological processes using light. Molecular switches enable precise, reversible regulation of the systems in which they are embedded. To achieve robust and versatile switching, careful tuning of molecular structure and activation conditions is essential. Hydrazones represent a promising class of photoswitches, offering synthetic accessibility, strong thermal and photochemical stability, and a modular framework that supports further development for materials and biological applications. This work begins by examining a family of heterocyclic hydrazones to determine how structural variations affect photoswitching efficiency and thermal half-lives. Comparisons with phenyl-based …

The Critical Plastocapillary Number For A Newtonian Liquid Filament Embedded Into A Viscoplastic Fluid, Mohammad Tanver Hossain, Wonsik Eom, Arjun Shah, Andrew Lowe, Douglas Fudge, Sameh H. Tawfick, Randy Ewoldt

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

The yield stress of a viscoplastic material can stabilize an embedded fluid tunnel against capillarity-induced breakup, enabling remarkable technologies such as embedded 3D printing of intricate, freeform, and small components. However, there is persistent disagreement in the published literature between the observed minimum stable diameter, 𝑑min, and the theoretical plastocapillary length 𝑝𝑐 = 2𝛤∕𝜎𝑦, with interfacial tension 𝛤 and bath yield stress 𝜎𝑦, leading to a prior hypothesis that the apparent surface tension 𝛤 is much smaller to enforce 𝑑min = 𝑝𝑐 . Here we introduce and experimentally test a new hypothesis that the critical diameter is set by the …

Human Gut Commensal Alistipes Timonensis Modulates The Host Lipidome And Delivers Anti-Inflammatory Outer Membrane Vesicles To Suppress Colitis In An Il10-Deficient Mouse Model, Ethan Older, Mary K. Mitchell, Andrew Campbell, Xiaoying Lian, Michael Madden, Yuzhen Wang, Lauren E. Van De Wal, Thelma Zaw, Brandon N. Vanderveen, Rodney Tatum, E. Angela Murphy, Yan-Hua Chen, Daping Fang, Melissa Ellermann, Jie Li

Faculty Publications

Correlative studies have linked human gut microbes to specific health conditions. Alistipes is one such microbial genus negatively linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the protective role of Alistipes in IBD is understudied, and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, colonization of Il10-deficient mice with Alistipes timonensis DSM 27924 delays colitis development. Colonization does not significantly alter the gut microbiome composition, but instead shifts the host plasma lipidome, increasing phosphatidic acids while decreasing triglycerides. Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) derived from Alistipes are detected in the plasma of colonized mice, carrying potentially immunomodulatory metabolites into the …

Comprehensive Insights Into The Cholesterol-Mediated Modulation Of Membrane Function Through Molecular Dynamics Simulations, Ehsaneh Khodadadi, Ehsan Khodadadi, Parth Chaturvedi, Mahmoud Moradi

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Cholesterol plays an essential role in biological membranes and is crucial for maintaining their stability and functionality. In addition to biological membranes, cholesterol is also used in various synthetic lipid-based structures such as liposomes, proteoliposomes, and nanodiscs. Cholesterol regulates membrane properties by influencing the density of lipids, phase separation into liquid-ordered (Lo) and liquid-disordered (Ld) areas, and stability of protein-membrane interactions. For planar bilayers, cholesterol thickens the membrane, decreases permeability, and brings lipids into well-ordered domains, thereby increasing membrane rigidity by condensing lipid packing, while maintaining lateral lipid mobility in disordered regions to preserve overall membrane fluidity. It modulates membrane …

Development And Photophysical Characterization Of Bioinspired Materials, Qaisar Maqbool

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Porphyrins are versatile aromatic macrocycles with unique photophysical properties that make them attractive for applications in light harvesting, photocatalysis, and sustainable energy conversion. Incorporating porphyrins into metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offers a unique opportunity to modulate their photophysical behavior through spatial confinement and host–guest interactions. This thesis explores how structural modifications influence porphyrin excited-state behavior through a multi-stage investigation. The work begins by comparing the photophysical properties of two cationic porphyrins: tetra(N-methylpyridyl) porphyrin(TMPyP) and tetra(4-N,N,N-trimethylanilinium) porphyrin(4TANP). While TMPyP exhibits significant singlet–charge transfer (S₁–CT) state mixing due to charge delocalization onto peripheral pyridinium groups, 4TANP lacks comparable behavior. The localized nature of …

Electrochemically-Assisted Low Power Density Laser Writing On Stainless Steel Via Enrichment Of Chromium Oxides, Zechariah J. Pfaffenberger, Lianlian Liu, Tae Kyong John Kim, Vignesh Venkataramani, Lydia Kisley

Faculty Scholarship

Laser color marking produces nearly permanent, environmentally friendly, vibrant colors on surfaces. However, previous work has used high-power-density pulsed lasers to induce the physicochemical reactions for marking. Here, laser color marking on stainless steel 304 (SS304) is performed with a less expensive continuous wave (CW) laser and a power density five orders of magnitude below that previously reported by combining an electrochemical cell with a fluorescence microscope. Using a combination of optical microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and bulk electrochemistry, it is demonstrated that the laser-induced luminescence and colors are due to enrichment (32 ± 9% increase) of Cr₂O₃ in the …

Ensemble-Based Binding Free Energy Profiling And Network Analysis Of The Kras Interactions With Darpin Proteins Targeting Distinct Binding Sites: Revealing Molecular Determinants And Universal Architecture Of Regulatory Hotspots And Allosteric Binding, Mohammed Alshahrani, Vedant Parikh, Brandon Foley, Gennady M. Verkhivker

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

KRAS is a pivotal oncoprotein that regulates cell proliferation and survival through interactions with downstream effectors such as RAF1. Despite significant advances in understanding KRAS biology, the structural and dynamic mechanisms of KRAS allostery remain poorly understood. In this study, we employ microsecond molecular dynamics simulations, mutational scanning, and binding free energy calculations together with dynamic network modeling to dissect how engineered DARPin proteins K27, K55, K13, and K19 engage KRAS through diverse molecular mechanisms ranging from effector mimicry to conformational restriction and allosteric modulation. Mutational scanning across all four DARPin systems identifies a core set of evolutionarily constrained residues …

Molecular Insights Into The Role Of Estrogen Receptor Beta In Ecdysterone Mediated Anabolic Activity, Syeda Sumayya Tariq, Madiha Sardar, Muhammad Shafiq, Hendrick Heinz, Mohammad Nur-E-Alam, Aftab Ahmad, Zaheer Ul-Haq

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Ecdysterone, often dubbed a “natural steroid,” has garnered significant attention among athletes for its reputed growth-promoting and anabolic properties. Unlike synthetic anabolic steroids, which are classified as controlled substances, ecdysteroids remain largely unregulated in many countries and are widely marketed as dietary supplements. Notably, ecdysterone has been included in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) monitoring program, highlighting its potential impact on athletic performance and raising questions about its regulation. Emerging evidence indicates that, unlike traditional anabolic steroids that act primarily via the Androgen Receptor (AR), ecdysterone’s anabolic effects may be mediated through Estrogen Receptors (ERs), particularly Estrogen Receptor beta (ERβ). …

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis And Surface Characterization Of Graphene Oxide-Antimony Trioxide Nanocomposites For Ascorbic Acid Electrochemical Sensor, Samir Mallick

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

The detection and monitoring of Ascorbic Acid (AA) concentration is of crucial importance. Abnormal AA levels in bodily fluids have been reported to cause cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Nanoparticles have played a critical role in developing affordable, sensitive, and selective sensors. This work reports on the electrochemical detection of AA using glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs) modified with microwave-assisted graphene oxide-antimony trioxide nanocomposite and chitosan films. The developed sensor displayed enhanced electron transfer and a better electrocatalytic reaction towards AA compared to other fabricated electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry were used for electrochemical measurements. CV and Fourier …

Enhancing Stability And Emissions In Metal Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals Through Mn2+ Doping, Thi Thu Trinh Phan, Thi Thuy Kieu Nguyen, Trung Kien Mac, Minh Tuan Trinh

Chemistry and Biochemistry Student Research

Metal halide perovskite (MHP) nanocrystals (NCs) offer great potential for high-efficiency optoelectronic devices; however, they suffer from structural softness and chemical instability. Doping MHP NCs can overcome this issue. In this work, we synthesize Mn-doped methylammonium lead bromide (MAPbBr₃) NCs using the ligand-assisted reprecipitation method and investigate their structural and optical stability. X-ray diffraction confirms Mn²⁺ substitution at Pb²⁺ sites and lattice contraction. Photoluminescence (PL) measurements show a blue shift, significant PL quantum yield enhancement, reaching 72% at 17% Mn²⁺ doping, and a 34% increase compared to undoped samples, attributed to effective defect passivation and …

Structural Color Pigments For Waterborne Coatings, Kyle William Liston

Master's Theses

Structural colors offer unique alternatives to conventional pigments, utilizing their microstructures to produce vibrant colors. These pigments offer an alternative source for colorants without the need for less environmentally friendly conventional pigments. In keeping with the sustainability approach, the use of waterborne coatings was chosen over solvent-based coatings. Here we report the synthesis of brushite platelet, silica supraball, and inverse opal pigments. Brushite platelets were produced through a condensation reaction, while silica supraballs were synthesized via the Stöber process and assembly was attempted using an oil-in-water emulsion. Inverse opal was produced through the templating of silica on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) …

Catalyzed Chemical Recycling Of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) For Enhanced Sustainability, Gilberto J. Hernandez-Leypon Jr.

Master's Theses

Plastics are ubiquitous in the production of consumer and industrial products; their chemical stability, low cost of production, and performance versatility make them the best option for many industries. Their inherent benefits, specifically durability, is the basis for the negative environmental impact of polymers. Improper containment of endof-life polymer products causes unintentional migration into the environment. The monomers for many common polymer types are also fossil fuel based further increasing the environmental impact of the plastic lifecycle. Recycling is a possible method of closing the loop of the plastic lifecycle. Currently most recycling is physical, thermally reprocessing used plastics into …

Performance Evaluation Of Aminated Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Incorporated With Green Synthesized Iron Nanoparticles For Toxic Dyes Sequestration From Textile Wastewater, Titus Chinedu Egbosiuba, Cynthia Chukwuemeka, Jonah Chukwudi Umeuzuegbu, Nwanneka Chibuzo Mmonwuba, Ugochukwu Ewuzie, Monday Uchenna Okoronkwo, Valentine Chikaodili Anadebe, Saheed Mustapha, Ambali Saka Abdulkareem, Jimoh Oladejo Tijani, Ashish Patel, Virendra Kumar Yadav

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study evaluates the performance of aminated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (AM-MWCNTs) integrated with zerovalent iron nanoparticles (ZVI) synthesized using cashew leaf (Anacardium occidentale) extract (AM-MWCNTs@ZVI) for the removal of Congo Red (CR) and Methylene Blue (MB) dyes from textile industrial wastewater. The nanocomposite was characterized using FTIR, XRD, BET, HRSEM, and HRTEM analyses, confirming its functional groups, crystalline structure, and enhanced surface area of 1050.4 m²/g. The ecological risk degree of the textile pollutants was assessed to determine the percentage concentrations of crystal violet, Congo red, methyl orange, methylene blue and rhodamine B. Batch adsorption experiments identified optimal …

Myceli-Yum: Elucidating Structure-Property Relationships For Polymer Degradation By Mycelial Digestion, Jordan Scott Ford

Master's Theses

Since the industrial entrance of polymer plastic materials, plastic has become ubiquitous in both everyday use and waste. Due to inefficiencies and knowledge gaps, current recycling methods are not able to account for the high scale of plastic waste, resulting in the bulk of this waste being landfilled, mishandled, and deposited in the environment. Mycelium, the microorganism responsible for fruiting mushroom bodies and mold growth, holds potential to reduce plastic waste and can potentially be utilized as a method of industrial recycling. Following a drug-design approach, the active site of mycelial enzymes responsible for natural biopolymer degradation have been assessed …