Alternative immunofluorescent labeling of Cryptosporidium parvum in water samples using semiconductor quantum dots

The application of immunofluorescent labeling using quantum dots for detection of inactivated Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in spiked water samples (reservoir water, treated wastewater effluent, permeate of a membrane bioreactor, and tap water) provided more consistent results compared with the organic fluorophores label. The varying degree of particles present in the different water samples (with turbidity ranging from 0.2 to 6.1 NTU) in nonconcentrated water samples had insignificant interference on the labeled counts (2-sample t-tests, p > 0.236) using the quantum dot label, while the quantum dot label provided an advantage of approximately 50% lower interference in concentrated water samples compared with the organic fluorophores label.     

Sustainable production in circular economy: aerogel upscaling production

Environmental Science and Pollution Research -     

Accelerated sunlight photocatalysis through improved electron mobility between g-C3N4 and BiPO4 nanomaterial

Herein, we report a detailed study on creating heterojunction between graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) and bismuth phosphate (BiPO₄), enhancing the unpaired free electron mobility. This leads to an accelerated photocatalysis of 2,4-dichlorophenols (2,4-DCPs) under sunlight irradiation. The heterojunction formation was efficaciously conducted via a modest thermal deposition technique. The function of g-C₃N₄ plays a significant role in generating free electrons under sunlight irradiation. Together, the generated electrons at the g-C₃N₄ conduction band (CB) are transferred and trapped by the BiPO₄ to form active superoxide anion radicals (?O₂^?). These active radicals will be accountable for the photodegradation of 2,4-DCPs. The synthesized composite characteristics were methodically examined through several chemical and physical studies. Due to the inimitable features of both g-C₃N₄ and BiPO₄, its heterojunction formation, 2.5wt% BiPO₄/g-C₃N₄ achieved complete 2,4-DCP removal (100%) in 90 min under sunlight irradiation. This is due to the presence of g-C₃N₄ that enhanced electron mobility through the formation of heterojunctions that lengthens the electron-hole pairs’ lifetime and maximizes the entire solar spectrum absorption to generate active electrons at the g-C₃N₄ conduction band. Thus, this formation significantly draws the attention for future environmental remediation, especially in enhancing the entire solar spectrum’s harvesting.

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Recovery of precious metals from e-wastes through conventional and phytoremediation treatment methods: a review and prediction

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - E-waste, also known as waste from electrical and electronic equipment, is a solid waste that accumulates quickly due to high demand driven by the...