Energy production is one of the most crucial issues presently attracting global attention. In this work, a CuMOF@Faujasite nanocomposite was synthesized and utilized as a novel efficient catalyst for hydrogen production. The produced composite was first characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier- transform infrared (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry. Surface properties were analyzed via nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms. All characterization results revealed the formation of a pure and well-defined crystalline phase, with a high specific surface area (S_BET) of 286 m²/g (S_BET of Faujasite is 35 m²/g). Moreover, the morphology and compositional analysis of the nanocomposite were assured through the scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscope and X-ray photospectroscopy (XPS). SEM and TEM images revealed sponge-like spheres that are related to Faujasite besides small spherical particles related to CuBDC MOF. XPS analysis revealed a low content of CuMOF in the nanocomposite. The catalytic activity of the nanocomposite was tested for the dehydrogenation of NaBH₄. The impact of NaBH₄ concentration, weight of the catalyst, and the reaction temperature on NaBH₄ hydrolysis was investigated. A hydrogen generation rate (HGR) of 484 mLmin⁻¹ g⁻¹ at 30 °C was achieved using 50 mg of the catalyst and 0.05 mol/l of NaBH₄ owing to the high specific area and the selective active sites for such hydrolytic reaction. The kinetic analysis of the activity data indicates the first-order behavior at low concentrations of NaBH₄. Furthermore, at concentrations ≥0.065 mol L⁻¹, zero-order kinetics was predominant. The time needed for completion of the hydrolysis reaction was found to be decreased (~20 min) by increasing the catalyst mass as well as NaBH₄ concentration or even by elevating the reaction temperature (~4 min at 60 °C). The activation energy was estimated; it was found to be 70.5 KJ mol⁻¹. Ultimately, our catalyst showed a reasonable rate of hydrogen production, as compared to others reported earlier.

Remediation of the dye-contaminated water has received a broad interest due to the health problems and defects in the ecological system originating from the presence of such toxic materials in water. Herein, MnO@C nanocomposites as efficient adsorbent/photocatalyst materials for the removal of cationic and anionic dyes were synthesized via a simple and new precursor-assisted method. Manganese malonate was prepared and calcined at 350 °C for 1 h under air, argon, and H₂ atmospheres. Pristine MnO was obtained under argon and H₂. The obtained nanocomposites are highly crystalline and have sphere-like shapes as evidenced by TEM, HRTEM, and SAED. EDX analysis demonstrated the presence of C in the prepared samples. The study of the surface texture via the BJH method and V_a-t plots has revealed the presence of both microporous and mesoporous pores. BET surface areas of 22.7 and 50.1 m²/g were found for MnO@C nanocomposites prepared under Ar and H₂, respectively. Removal of MB as a cationic dye from water was explored via adsorption of the dye over the surface of MnO@C nanocomposites. The MnO@C sample prepared under H₂ exhibited the largest removal efficacy, removal of 97% of the dye occurs in 6 h. Furthermore, the MnO@C nanocomposite was utilized as a photocatalyst for removal of the anionic dye, eosin Y. Complete removal of eosin Y color was achieved after exposure to sunlight for 2 h. The mechanism of the photocatalytic degradation of eosin Y was investigated. The possible degradation products were detected through HPLC-UV analysis. The prepared nanocomposite showed good recyclability and even preserving its structure after 4 cycles.

Chitinase, an enzyme that hydrolyzes glycosidic bonds in chitin, holds significant potential for industrial applications, including biological control, antifungal treatments, and antibiofilm strategies. In this study, chitinase derived from Planomicrobium sp. (PP133202) was immobilized onto a cobalt metal-organic framework (Co-MOF), and its properties were extensively analyzed using various biological, chemical, and physical characterization techniques. The microbial source was identified via 16S rRNA sequencing, and enzyme activity was optimized under submerged conditions using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Structural and morphological characterization of the chitinase/Co-MOF complex was conducted through FTIR, SEM, TEM, XPS, XRD, EDX, and surface area analyses. The encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity were determined to be 42 % and 20 %, respectively. Notably, the immobilized chitinase exhibited a threefold increase in enzymatic activity compared to its free form. Additionally, the chitinase/Co-MOF complex demonstrated enhanced biological control efficacy, effectively inhibiting Tribolium castaneum and multiple pathogenic microorganisms, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus terreus, and Beauveria bassiana. These findings highlight the potential of chitinase/Co-MOF as a promising agent for antimicrobial and pest control applications.

Hydrogen gas (H₂) is an environmentally benign and sustainable energy fuel. Because of its high energy content, hydrogen presents a viable clean energy source alternative to fossil fuels and is regarded as a one of the most promising energy sources. In the current investigation, CuWO₄ was applied, for the first time, as an efficient catalyst for the green generation of H₂ from the hydrolysis of NaBH₄. CuWO₄ was fabricated via a co-precipitation assisted hydrothermal method. The synthesized catalyst was characterized by XRD, XPS, VSM, FTIR, SEM, TEM, and nitrogen sorption analyses. XRD and XPS analyses confirmed the successful formation of CuWO₄. It was estimated that, values of hydrogen generation rate (HGR) 818, 1250, 2467, and 2920 ml min⁻¹ g⁻¹ were respectively obtained at reaction temperatures of 28, 35, 40, and 45 °C. According to the pseudo-first-order equation, CuWO₄ have an estimated apparent activation energy of 59.2 kJ mol⁻¹. Thermodynamic parameters like ∆H^#, ∆S^#, and ∆G^# were also calculated. The antibacterial efficacy of CuWO₄ was evaluated against four Gram positive pathogenic strains; Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus with concentration range 0–150 µg ml⁻¹ comparing with chloramphenicol (CHL) antibacterial agent. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for CuWO₄ and CHL for the four strains. CuWO₄ clear promising antibacterial properties with growth inhibition (%) of 82.79 (49.9 CHL) %, 73.56 (67.89 CHL) %, 61.38 (58.18 CHL) %, and 50.47 (43.4 CHL) % at 150 µg ml⁻¹ of B. subtilis, S. aureus, B. cereus, and Micrococcus luteus, respectively.