The low solubility of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in aqueous media leads to significant gas losses during microalgal cultivation, limiting carbon availability and biofixation efficiency. To address this limitation, polymeric nanofibers functionalized with monoethanolamine (MEA) were evaluated as a dual-function system to enhance CO₂ availability and modulate metabolite production in Porphyridium purpureum. Polyacrylonitrile nanofibers with or without MEA were produced by electrospinning and added to the culture medium at 0.1 mg mL⁻¹. Cultivation was carried out for 15 days at 21 ± 1 °C under continuous illumination, with injection of a gas mixture containing 7.5% CO₂ for two minutes every hour. Three experimental conditions were evaluated: control without nanofibers, PAN nanofibers, and MEA-functionalized PAN nanofibers. Released polysaccharides were recovered from the supernatant by ultrafiltration at the end of cultivation. The highest B-phycoerythrin concentration was obtained in the MEA-functionalized nanofiber treatment, reaching 41.3 ± 3.22 mg g⁻¹ dry weight, representing a threefold increase compared to the control. Cultures supplemented with non-functionalized nanofibers showed intermediate values of 24.56 ± 3.22 mg g⁻¹. In addition, released polysaccharides from nanofiber treatments exhibited a 23% increase in purity, while MEA-functionalized nanofibers promoted a 10% increase in acidic sugar content. The enhanced CO₂ availability provided by nanofibers appears to favor glycolytic flux and amino acid precursor supply for phycoerythrin biosynthesis, while also altering polysaccharide composition. Increased production of phycoerythrin and acidic sugars is particularly relevant due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and bioactive properties. Overall, nanofiber-assisted cultivation represents an effective strategy to intensify pigment production and tailor polysaccharide profiles in Porphyridium purpureum for high-value biotechnological applications. This approach demonstrates strong potential for sustainable bioprocess intensification, improved carbon utilization efficiency, and development of scalable cultivation platforms targeting pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food, and specialty pigment markets worldwide with reduced harvesting costs and process stability.

Advancing membrane technology is essential for tackling water scarcity and reducing the energy consumption associated with water treatment, thereby supporting environmental sustainability. Two-dimensional materials, particularly MoS₂, have emerged as promising candidates for high-performance desalination membranes [1,2] due to their superior stability and resistance to swelling compared to graphene oxide [3,4]. However, current fabrication methods for MoS₂ membranes face challenges such as defect formation, scalability issues, and time-consuming functionalization processes. Our study [5] introduces a novel, scalable, and efficient bottom-up synthesis for fabricating functionalized defect-free MoS₂ membranes. The single-step wet chemistry approach produces monolayer MoS₂ nanosheets with a uniform lateral size (~4 nm), ensuring perfect laminar stacking. This process eliminates the need for excessive exfoliation or centrifugation steps. The synthesized MoS₂ nanosheets were deposited on poly(ether sulfone) supports to form selective layers with controllable thickness. The membranes achieved excellent rejection (>99%) for various salts (NaCl, KCl, MgSO₄) in osmotic pressure experiments. The membranes were also stable and maintained >99% salt rejection over six days of continuous operation and remained intact after three months of water immersion. This performance was superior in terms of rejection and permeance compared to state-of-the-art MoS₂ membranes reported in the literature. Hence, this synthesis method addresses key limitations of existing MoS₂ membrane fabrication techniques, offering an efficient route to produce high-performance membranes.

[1] O. Opetubo, et al. , A mini-review on MoS₂ membrane for water desalination: Recent development and challenges, Nanotech. Reviews 12 (2023).

[2] Y. Liu, et al. , MoS₂-based membranes in water treatment and purification, Chem. Eng. J. 422 (2021) 130082.

[3] P. Oviroh, et al., Towards the realisation of high permi-selective MoS₂ membrane for water desalination, npj Clean Water 6 (2023) 14.

[4] S. Zheng, et al., Swelling of Graphene Oxide Membranes in Aqueous Solution: Characterization of Interlayer Spacing and Insight into Water Transport Mechanisms, ACS Nano 11 (2017) 6440–6450.

[5] S. Al-Nahari, et al. , Bottom-Up Synthesis for Defect-Free Two-Dimensional MoS₂ Sieving Membranes, ACS Applied Nano Materials 8 (2025) 5894–5899.

Inorganic acids are commonly used in the leaching process of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their low cost and high leaching efficiency. Among these, sulfuric acid is the most frequently used. However, in the pursuit of more environmentally friendly approaches, hydrochloric acid (HCl) has emerged as a promising alternative due to its lower environmental impact and potential for recovery and reuse. HCl is also a by-product of polyurethane production, although it is contaminated with chlorobenzene, which makes it unsuitable for direct use in battery recycling. In line with circular economy principles, this project proposes repurposing this waste HCl stream for LIB recycling, provided the chlorobenzene present at approximately 30 ppm can be removed.

Adsorption was selected as the purification method due to its simplicity, low cost, and scalability. This project focuses on developing an adsorption process to remove chlorobenzene from the HCl stream, enabling its reuse in hydrometallurgical treatment of spent LIBs and contributing to sustainability and resource efficiency.

Activated carbon was selected due to its high surface area, chemical resistance and adaptability to functionalization. The materials were modified with nitrogen-containing precursors (dopamine, melamine, polyethylenimine and urea), as well as acid treatments with HCl and nitric acid, and subjected to thermal treatment to enhance adsorption performance through surface chemistry tuning.

The adsorbents were characterized using N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms at -196 ºC, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and point of zero charge measurements.

Fixed-bed column studies were carried out using HCl solutions containing 30 ppm of chlorobenzene under controlled flow and bed height conditions. Adsorption results showed distinct performances depending on carbon type and treatment. The urea-functionalized activated carbon from Sigma exhibited the best performance, achieving 90% removal efficiency and a maximum adsorption capacity of 0.6 mg/g. This study contributes to strategies for chlorobenzene removal from acidic industrial streams.

Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanocomposites show strong potential as lightweight shielding materials for space and nuclear applications. However, it is crucial to gain an understanding of the changes in materials' behaviour due to radiation exposure for their successful applications. In this study, we examine how neutron exposure affects the structure and other properties of BNNT/TPU nanocomposites under various neutron doses. We find that while BNNT buckypaper maintains structural integrity, TPU and BNNT/TPU nanocomposites undergo structural and chemical modifications. We interpret these changes to chain scission and branching in the polymers caused by neutron exposure. Mechanical test measurements show a decrease in the elastic modulus, yield strength, and ductility of irradiated TPU. On the other hand, the BNNT/TPU nanocomposites become brittle yet stronger, likely because of the high neutron absorption cross-section of BNNT. These findings provide useful insight for optimizing nanocomposites for applications in harsh and radiation-rich environments, including deep space.

Although literature-derived data on engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) offer significant potential for informatics applications, their integration is constrained by heterogeneity in experimental protocols, material systems, and analytical approaches across studies.

To address these challenges, a comprehensive dataset was compiled from various scientific studies focusing on ENM dissolution. This compilation included data from numerous peer-reviewed articles and reports to ensure wide representation of existing knowledge in the field. The dataset was evaluated using an adapted Total Data Quality (TDQ) framework to systematically assess measurement quality and representational coverage.

The evaluation identified several critical limitations: incomplete reporting of essential parameters such as pH levels, temperatures, and ionic strengths; inconsistent data formats complicating comparisons across different studies; insufficient methodological documentation hindering reproducibility and interpretation; and biases in the types of materials studied, leading to an unbalanced representation of ENM dissolution data.

To enhance transparency and facilitate data reuse, the quality assessment was aligned with FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles. This alignment ensured that the dataset could be more easily accessed, integrated, and utilized in future research by adhering to standards for metadata documentation, persistent identifiers, interoperability protocols, and data management practices.

The structured evaluation provided clarity on the dataset’s structure, context, and overall quality, laying a solid foundation for subsequent analysis. The adapted TDQ framework offers systematic guidelines for evaluating and harmonizing literature-derived dissolution data, thereby enhancing their integration and usability in future studies and applications. This approach addresses immediate research needs while contributing to long-term sustainability by fostering consistent and robust data practices within the ENM community.

Two-dimensional nanomaterials (2D-nm) are increasingly proposed for environmental and agricultural applications, including crop protection, nutrient delivery, and sustainable farming practices. However, their potential ecological implications, particularly at the reproductive level of plants, remain poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of four 2D-nm - graphene oxide (GO), hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), and mica (MI) - on seed production in two model crop species, tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.).

Plants were exposed to aqueous dispersions of 2D-nm at environmentally relevant concentrations (25, 50, and 100 µg mL⁻¹) through controlled spray applications. Tobacco was evaluated in both pot (2022) and open-field (2023) experiments, while maize was assessed under controlled conditions. Endpoints included total seed production, thousand-seed weight, seed germination, early root development, and elemental composition of seeds, determined using ICP-OES and CHN analyses.

In tobacco, seed production was unaffected in the pot experiment but significantly reduced under field conditions at the highest exposure level, particularly following GO and MI treatments, with GO causing up to a 44% decrease compared to the control. In maize, seed yield was less sensitive to 2D-nm exposure, showing no significant reductions, although material-specific effects on seed weight and germination parameters were observed. Across both species, limited changes in seed elemental composition were detected.

These findings highlight that 2D nanomaterials can exert species- and material-dependent effects on plant reproductive performance, especially under realistic field conditions. The study underscores the importance of incorporating reproductive endpoints into environmental risk assessments to support the safe and sustainable application of nanotechnology in agroecosystems.

This work was supported by the Italian Ministry of University and Research through the PRIN2020 funding program (project name: “2D-NANO MAD PLANTS: Effects of 2D-nanomaterials on seed plants reproduction”; CUP: G53C22000050001; project code: 2020KRY7RB).

The increasing levels of air pollution and the transmission of airborne pathogens have led to a substantial rise in the demand for personal protective equipment, particularly facemasks. However, conventional facemasks present significant limitations, including microbial colonization during prolonged use and improper disposal, which contributes to microplastic accumulation and long-term environmental damage. Consequently, there is a growing need for innovative protective materials that combine high filtration efficiency with antimicrobial functionality. Electrospinning has emerged as a promising technique for producing nanofibrous structures with ultrafine diameters, high porosity, and tunable surface properties, enabling the fabrication of filter media with enhanced particulate capture. Moreover, electrospun fibers can be functionalized with bioactive agents, such as metal oxide nanoparticles, to impart antibacterial activity. In this work, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) electrospun nanofibrous membranes were fabricated and functionalized with synthesized zinc oxide (ZnO) and magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles, respectively, using different incorporation approaches. The resulting membranes were characterized by Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and Ground-State Diffuse Reflectance (GSDR). Additionally, antibacterial activity evaluation and filtration efficiency tests were performed to assess the performance of the membranes. ATR-FTIR confirmed the successful synthesis of the nanoparticles and their incorporation into the membranes, while SEM-EDS demonstrated their effective incorporation without compromising fiber morphology. GSDR analysis further verified the presence and availability of the nanoparticles within the electrospun matrices. Both the nanoparticles and the nanoparticle-functionalized membranes exhibited antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, while maintaining high filtration efficiency following nanoparticle incorporation. Overall, these findings demonstrate the potential of metal oxide nanoparticle-functionalized electrospun membranes as sustainable and biodegradable filtration media for next-generation facemasks.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) exhibit strong potential for cancer biomarker detection due to their sharp and highly sensitive localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). However, their susceptibility to oxidation and agglomeration under harsh conditions, such as biological environments, limits their effectiveness in biosensing and therapy. To address this issue, we synthesized decahedral AgNPs and evaluated two stabilization approaches: a thin gold coating (2–3 nm, Au@Ag; shell@core) and a dual coating of gold and silica (SiO₂@Au@Ag) with varied thicknesses. The particles were characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy with elemental analysis (SEM/EDX). With each additional layer, the UV–Vis spectrum exhibited a red shift, and particle size increased from 40 nm (Ag) to 45 nm (Au@Ag), and finally to 146 nm (SiO₂@Au@Ag). Stability was tested in biologically relevant buffers (PBS-T and HEPES), complete cancer cell media (DMEM and McCoy), and in strong oxidizing and basic agents (0.5 M H₂O₂ and NH₄OH). Uncoated AgNPs rapidly lost plasmon peak intensity in biological buffers, indicating oxidation, and showed agglomeration in cell media. In contrast, Au-coated AgNPs maintained strong LSPR and colloidal stability in most environments, though slight agglomeration appeared in McCoy and instability was observed in DMEM. The dual-coated SiO₂@Au@Ag nanoparticles exhibited superior stability across all tested buffers, media, and harsh environments, including high oxidant and alkaline conditions. These findings demonstrate that combining Au and SiO₂ layers markedly enhances AgNP stability under diverse conditions, ensuring safer and more reliable performance in cancer diagnostics and therapeutic applications. Current efforts focus on evaluating biological responses (e.g., MTT cytotoxicity) and investigating ligand-mediated targeting through surface plasmon resonance binding assays.