Strontium (Sr²⁺), a hazardous radionuclide in nuclear waste, requires efficient adsorption for pollution control. Taiwan’s Zhangyuan bentonite, with high cation exchange capacity (CEC: 80–86 meq/100 g), offers potential for Sr²⁺ removal. This study systematically investigated its adsorption performance and mechanisms under diverse conditions, aiming to develop an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution for radioactive wastewater treatment.

Batch adsorption experiments evaluated the effects of time, Sr²⁺ concentration, temperature, pH, and Na⁺ levels. Adsorption kinetics and isotherms were modeled using pseudo-second-order and Freundlich equations. XRD analyzed interlayer spacing (d001) to track Sr²⁺ intercalation. Cation desorption quantified exchange mechanisms, while ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations elucidated Sr²⁺-Ca²⁺ interactions via water bridge networks.

Taiwan bentonite achieved 95% Sr²⁺ removal within 5 minutes, with a maximum capacity of 0.28 mmol/g (56 meq/100 g, 65% of CEC). Cation exchange dominated (84% contribution), primarily displacing Ca²⁺ (60.4% desorbed ions). XRD confirmed Sr²⁺ intercalation, expanding d001 from 14.71 Å to 15.6 Å. Alkaline conditions (pH >9) enhanced adsorption by strengthening electrostatic attraction and suppressing Ca²⁺ competition. Na⁺ reduced capacity, validating exchange priority. AIMD revealed Sr²⁺ formed hydrogen bonds with bentonite oxygen via bilayer hydration (adsorption energy: -15.3 eV), while water bridges between Sr²⁺ and Ca²⁺ stabilized adsorption sites.

Taiwan bentonite emerges as a promising material for emergency Sr²⁺ treatment in nuclear wastewater, offering rapid kinetics (5-minute equilibrium), high capacity, and pH adaptability (optimized at pH >9). Its natural abundance, low cost, and resistance to ion interference (e.g., 65% CEC utilization under Na⁺ competition) surpass synthetic alternatives. The dual mechanism—cation exchange and surface complexation—provides a theoretical basis for enhancing bentonite’s swelling properties and long-term stability. This study advances the application of natural minerals in nuclear waste disposal, highlighting their practicality in large-scale environmental remediation.

We are looking for a permanent solution to environmental disasters, fires, earthquakes, floods, and harsh environmental problems, as well as ways to stabilize the structures of war-prone areas that suffer from huge economic, social and human losses, by using innovative concrete structures which employ nanomaterial technology, with an emphasis on acceptable cost and achieving sustainability, durability, and comfort factors. Concrete structures (low- to medium-rise) characterized by high fire resistance (externally and internally) achieve higher structural balance rates, higher sustainability rates, and higher durability, with a longer life than their counterparts. All of this can be achieved by using lightweight, high-performance structural concrete made from environmentally friendly materials that do not involve any harmful substances or unconventional materials. We have created a prototype (KandCrete) composed of coarse and fine aggregates,which may be used as either ordinary or resistive cement. It has the same composition proportions as any conventional concrete, without a significant increase in cost. KandCrete has a density of (1600 to 1850 kg / m³), exhibiting a 25 % to 35% reduction in the conventional weight of concrete. Its compressive strength is 585 to 665 kg/cm², which is 90% to 121% greater than that of conventional concrete, and has a heat gain %age of 2.47% to 2.58%, with heat-transfer resistance 25 times that of insulated conventional concrete. It is not permeable to liquids and harmful substances and remains chemically balanced in the face of harmful environments. We have obtained a full structural system with integral components and members, with full distribution of loads, high stability and a tough structure, with no joints or links, no cracking , no deflection , no deformation, no weak connections , no buckling, no torsion.. etc. Our formula reduces energy consumption to the extreme. It needs little maintenance to preserve its structure or appearance, and is long-lasting and self-healing. It does not rot and is termite-resistant.

We investigated the Ree–Eyring fluid flow between two stretchable spinning disks with various stretching rates, along with the thermal enhancement feature of dual-walled carbon nanotubes such as SWCNTs and MWCNTs–water nanoliquids. The influence of thermophoresis and Brownian motion and microorganisms was also investigated properly. Appropriate transformations were applied to change the highly coupled non-linear system of partial differential equations to coupled ordinary differential equations associated with convective boundary conditions, which were then obtained analytically by utilizing HAM. The effects of significant parameters on the distribution function of velocity, temperature, microorganism motile density and concentration have been clarified via detailed sketches. Clearly, we found that the characteristics of the Eckert number enhanced the temperature profile in the two different nanoliquids. The thermal boundary layer thickness was enhanced via frictional heating when the Eckert number significantly increased in an augmentation of energy distribution due to double-spinning disks. Finally, the fluid temperature hikes were a little less significant in single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) than multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)–water nanoliquid with a larger Eckart number, EC. Moreover, we noticed that the thickness of the microorganism boundary layer decreased when we elevated Weissenberg number We and rotation parameter G. Thus, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)–water nanoliquid showed a slightly greater decrease than single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)–water nanoliquid.

Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and their various nanocomposites have emerged as powerful tools for environmental protection, particularly in water purification, air quality improvement, and pollutant degradation. These materials demonstrate exceptional adsorption capabilities for pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and dyes in wastewater treatment, as well as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxic gases in air purification. Our research specifically focuses on the application of Zn-MOF composites for wastewater remediation, investigating their adsorption efficiency and photocatalytic performance in removing hazardous contaminants. Through adsorption experiments and spectroscopic analysis, it was observed that Zn-MOF composites achieved a high removal efficiency for lead (Pb(II)) ions and for cadmium (Cd(II)) from industrial wastewater, outperforming conventional adsorbents. Additionally, ZIF-67 exhibited a high efficiency in relation to microplastic removal, while Ag@ZIF-8 composites demonstrated enhanced antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, making them ideal for water disinfection applications. Furthermore, UiO-66 was effective in adsorbing organic pollutants and heavy metals, confirming its potential in large-scale wastewater treatment. Beyond water treatment, our study also explores MIL-101 for toxic gas sequestration, particularly CO₂ and SO₂ capture, contributing to industrial air purification efforts. These findings underscore the versatility and efficiency of MOF-based nanomaterials in environmental remediation, paving the way for scalable and sustainable solutions. While challenges remain in terms of cost-effectiveness and long-term stability, continued research on MOF optimization and functionalization will enhance their applicability in real-world environmental challenges

With rapid urbanization and industrialization, air pollution has become a global concern due to its harmful effects on public health and the environment. Among various pollutants, airborne particulate matter (PM) poses significant health risks. This study aims to develop sustainable filtration materials using cellulose acetate propionate (CAP) nanofibers modified with a Ag-rGO/[BMIM]BF₄ composite to effectively capture fine particulates. Electrospun nanofiber membranes were selected due to their small diameter, high surface area, and porosity, making them ideal for air filtration. The impact of electrospinning parameters, including solution concentration, collector-to-needle distance, flow rate, voltage, and duration, was analyzed to optimize the production process. The fabricated membranes were characterized using XRD, FTIR, EDX, BET, and SEM. The results showed that the absorption efficiency of a blank cellulose acetate proionate nanofiber membrane for particulate matter PM1.0, PM₁₀, and PM2.5 increased from 65.24%, 68.61%, and 68.42% to 99.05%, 96.07%, and 97.30% for cellulose acetate propionate nanofibers modified with 0.4 mg of Ag-rGO/[BMIM]BF₄, attributed to the high surface area, oxygen-functionalized surface, and nanoplatelet morphology of graphene oxide. The modified membranes exhibited a quality factor of 0.22927 Pa⁻¹. These findings demonstrate that the cellulose acetate propionate-loaded silver-reduced graphene oxide/[BMIM]BF₄ nanofiber filters offer a sustainable, high-efficiency solution for reducing air contamination and protecting human health.

Nanoparticles are becoming more popular as a result of their exceptional size-to-volume ratio, which enables them to perform a wide range of chemical reactions with a high degree of efficiency. The applications of such particles are quickly expanding in various sectors. However, traditional methods of synthesizing nanoparticles often involve the use of very toxic chemicals. Although these toxic chemicals may produce the useful target nanoparticles, the production of hazardous byproducts is inevitable. Thus, green synthesis has attracted great attention in the nanoscience area. Green synthesis processes always exclude toxic materials in synthesis procedures and use supplementary materials that are natural or less harmful. This study focuses on the synthesis of these materials without the use of toxic chemicals, and the production of nanoparticles from natural resources such as peel, leaf, petal of flowers, fruit, root, and so on. On one hand, these starting materials are cheap and safe; on the other hand, using these materials may reduce the impact of waste on the environment, as some of these materials tend to build waste. This study also focuses on the applications of such nanoparticles in a variety of industries. A few examples of these industries include the agriculture industry, the food industry, and the pharmaceutical sector.

Pillar[5]arenes are a new class of molecular receptors that have proven to be an effective drug delivery system overcoming drug resistance.
Cytotoxicity studies on MCF7, HUH7, and BEAS-2B cell lines "using MTT-test" revealed that the ester derivative of pillar[5]arene exhibited cytotoxic activity at concentrations ranging from 2.3 to 3.2 μM, whereas the betaine derivative showed activity at significantly higher concentrations (25.1 to 175.6 μM).
Real-time PCR established that pillar[5]arenes with ester moieties were found to significantly downregulate p21 gene expression in both MCF7 and BEAS-2B cell lines. Additionally, this compound upregulated MDM2 expression in MCF7 cells.
Despite eliciting a robust cellular response, the pillar[5]arenes demonstrated no clearly quantifiable antitumor activity. However, biological properties correlated with the spatial packing of macrocycles, which opens opportunities for 3D macrocyclic systems.

Introduction:

The utilisation of FeMnSi biodegradables in contemporary medical applications is a promising avenue of research due to their capacity to degrade in physiological environments in a controlled manner, thus obviating the need for secondary surgical procedures. The study of corrosion mechanisms and degradation dynamics in vitro is essential to predict their behaviour under real body conditions, with the aim of optimising implant compatibility and functionality. It is hypothesised that corrosion should follow a kinetic profile synchronised with the tissue healing process. This would prevent premature metal ion release or loss of structural integrity.

Methods:

The current work characterises a biodegradable FeMnSi alloy in terms of its corrosion mechanism in simulated body fluid (SBF). The alloy under investigation was analysed after 72 h of immersion by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). EDX (Energy Dispersive X-ray) and nano-FTIR techniques were employed to investigate the corrosion compounds. The pH of the immersion solution was evaluated in accordance with the fluctuations corresponding to the chemical reactions caused by liquid–metal interactions.

Results and discussion:

The results obtained demonstrate the behaviour of the alloys in SBF and corroborate the pH variation consequent to the formation of compounds over time. The results indicated that the surface oxidised following immersion, along with the oxygen (O) concentration increasing linearly with the sample's exposure to the liquid. In addition to oxygen, reactions with the medium revealed the presence of trace elements such as calcium (Ca), phosphorous (P), carbon (C), and chlorine (Cl).

Conclusions:

Post-immersion characterisation revealed the presence of nanoscale corrosion products on the alloy surface, demonstrating the progression of corrosion from the nanoscale to the macroscopic level.

Background: PLGA nanoparticles were found to be actively exocytosed from cells in a previous study in our lab. The exocytosis process can be modulated to increase the retention of nanoparticles within the cells so that the therapeutic efficacy of any drug encapsulated within the nanoparticles is increased. So, we wanted to know which membrane proteins are involved in the exocytosis process of the nanoparticles. The role of VAMP3 and VAMP7, two crucial membrane proteins associated mainly with constitutive and regulated secretion, respectively, in cells, was studied in the context of exocytosis of PLGA nanoparticles.

Materials and Methods: The siRNA-mediated knockdown of VAMP3 and VAMP7 genes was performed in the LN229 cancer cell line and the intracellular accumulation of PLGA nanoparticles was studied by fluorescence microscopy.

Results: There was no significant difference in the intracellular accumulation of the PLGA nanoparticles after siRNA-mediated knockdown of VAMP3 or VAMP7.

Conclusion: This study shows that VAMP3 and VAMP7, which serve as important membrane proteins associated with the conventional constitutive and regulated secretion of different molecules in cells, are not involved in the exocytosis/secretion of PLGA nanoparticles. So, the pathway of intracellular trafficking of PLGA nanoparticles needs to be deciphered as it appears to be a non-conventional one.

In cancer treatment, radiotherapy is an important approach for more than 70% of solid tumors, and it is of great significance, especially for glioblastoma multiforme. However, the radioresistance of tumor cells and the toxicity of radiation to normal tissues severely limit the efficacy of radiotherapy. Radiosensitizers also have difficulty functioning efficiently due to physiological barriers within the body. The nanodrug delivery system holds promise. for breaking through this bottleneck.
This study has developed an innovative peptide–radiosensitizer composite system, aiming to enhance the radiosensitivity of glioblastoma multiforme during radiotherapy. The core of this system is the peptide–metronidazole conjugate molecule, which integrates four functional modules: a targeting peptide segment capable of penetrating the blood–brain barrier, a cathepsin B cleavage sequence, a pH-sensitive self-assembling fragment, and metronidazole, a nitroimidazole radiosensitizer. In vivo, the radiosensitizer exhibits a multi-stage dynamic transformation; it forms a complex with heparin during systemic circulation to avoid immune clearance. After reaching the tumor site, heparinase causes the complex to depolymerize into small particles, thereby increasing the uptake by tumor cells. After entering the lysosome, it self-assembles into nanofibers, which damage the lysosomal membrane, block the AKT signaling pathway, inhibit autophagy, disintegrate the cytoskeleton, and synergize with radiotherapy to induce apoptosis of tumor cells. Experiments show that under a low-dose radiation of 6 Gy, the inhibition rate of this system against orthotopic glioma reaches 80%, and there is no intracranial metastasis. This research brings a new paradigm and a breakthrough direction for cancer radiotherapy.