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Hybrid mesoporous microbeads based on sheets-like sulfur-doped copper oxide embedded in calcium alginate-derived carbon for batch and columnar adsorption of cationic dye

Research Abstract

Recent increases in the release of untreated water containing cationic dyes have led to significant environmental issues in ecosystems. Many industries contribute to this pollution by discharging water containing various organic pollutants, including crystal violet (CV). Therefore, a novel hybrid mesoporous sulfur-doped copper oxide embedded in Cu-alginate-derived carbon micro-beads (SCO@CACBs) adsorbent was developed for CV-decolorization through batch and fixed-bed columnar techniques. Comparative studies on the effectiveness of CV removal using CACBs and SCO@CACBs under different conditions such as pH, stirring time, amount of sorbent, initial CV concentration, and temperature were conducted. The results demonstrated that the optimal CV removal reached up to 99 % at neutral pH conditions (pH of 7), with an adsorption capacity of 87 mg/g through a batch approach. The CV adsorption process was analyzed using various methods, including adsorption isotherms, kinetics, thermodynamics, zeta potential measurements, and density-functional theory (DFT) calculations. Langmuir (R2 = 0.995) and pseudo 2nd order (R2 = 0.998) models most agree with experimental CV-adsorption data. Thermodynamic parameters indicated that CV adsorption is spontaneous, favorable, and endothermic. The columnar adsorption tests showed that the adsorption capacity of SCO@CACBs varied from 83.6 to 71.3 mg/g as the flow rate varied from 2 to 6 mL/min and 81.5–115.6 mg/g as the adsorbent mass varied from 1 to 4 g. The Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models fitted the breakthrough curves. The adsorbent maintained high removal efficiency (about 93 %) after five reuse cycles through batch and fixed-bed columnar approaches. Notably, the SCO@CACBs showed over 96 % efficiency in removing CV dye from actual agricultural and textile wastewater samples using batch and column setups. Thus, SCO@CACBs is an effective sorbent for removing CV dye from water contaminated by natural sources.

Research Authors
Ahmed H. Naggar, Mutairah S. Alshammari, Tarek A. Seaf-Elnasr, Kwok Feng Chong, Zinab H. Bakr, N.F. Alotaibi, Hazim M. Ali, Karam S. El-Nasser, Mahmoud Thabet, Eman M. Abd El-Monaem, Adel E.S. Goda, Hassanien Gomaa
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Microporous and Mesoporous Materials
Research Year
2024

Removal of Cr(VI) using thiol-modified cellulose nanostructure for water sustainability: detailed adsorption study

Research Abstract

Biodegradable naturally occurring adsorbents derived from waste precursors are essential for water sustainability. This study investigates using modified cellulose nanostructure (m-CNS) with thiols from wood pulp as a waste source to remove Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solution under different conditions, such as temperature, initial dye concentration, and contact time. The equilibrium adsorption of Cr(VI) is assessed at various temperatures (30, 40, and 50 °C) and concentrations (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg L−1). The m-CNS is detected by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Experiments are being carried out to investigate the removal of Cr(VI) ions in equilibrium state. The results showed that the highest percent removal of Cr(VI) ions was 95.95% at pH = 4.0 and after a relatively short adsorption time (80 min). The experimental data is presented using a diverse range of seven isotherm models. There are four models with two parameters: Freundlich, Langmuir, Dubinin-Radushkevich, and Temkin. In addition, three models with three parameters, namely the Redlich-Peterson, Sips, and Toth models, are employed to analyze the experimental adsorption data comprehensively. The depth of our analysis is further enriched using six error functions: the chi-square test (χχ2), the sum of squares of the errors (SSE), the derivative of Marquard’s percent standard deviation (MPSD), the average relative error (ARE), the sum of absolute errors (EABS), and the coefficient of determination. Unlike the Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm, linear and non-linear regression procedures produced equivalent results for two-parameter isotherms at different temperatures. This is especially noteworthy since the Freundlich, Langmuir, and Temkin isotherms, which provided the greatest fit to the data, are frequently utilized in isotherm modeling and adsorption research. Three-parameter isotherms yielded conflicting linear and non-linear model findings across different temperatures. Furthermore, the findings show that the most optimum error function for prediction was χχ2.

Research Authors
Anwar H. Abdullah, Suhad A. Yasin, Salah M. Abdullah, Mohammad R. Thalji, Faissal Aziz, Mohammed A. Assiri, Kwok Feng Chong, Gomaa A. M. Ali & Zinab H. Bakr
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery
Research Pages
10791–10807
Research Publisher
Springer Nature
Research Vol
15
Research Year
2024

Synthesis of ZIF-67 Nanoparticles for Camel Whey Protein Delivery: Promising Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Anticancer Effects, and Anti-biofilm Activity.

Research Abstract

Camel whey protein (CWP) offers various health benefits, including immune enhancement, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antibacterial properties. It also possesses antioxidant activity. However, its limited efficacy and stability restrict its broader application. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are crystalline materials composed of multiple organic groups and metal ions, known for their unique structural properties. In this study, we aimed to synthesize and evaluate the biological activity of a CWP-Co-MOF conjugate. The structural characterization of the synthesized materials was conducted using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The comparison of the XRD and FTIR patterns of ZIF-67, CWP and CWP-Co-MOF conjugate indicate successful conjugation of CWP with ZIF-67, confirming the structural integrity of the conjugate. The EDX maps further corroborate the effective conjugation of CWP with ZIF-67. The conjugated CWP-MOF nanoparticles (NPs) exhibited promising antioxidant activity, as assessed by the DPPH assay. Furthermore, they showed more potent anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-induced BV2 microglial cells and superior anticancer activity against HepG2 and Caco-2 cell lines, as determined by the MTT assay and flow cytometry, compared to free CWP. Additionally, the CWP-MOF-NPs exhibited enhanced antimicrobial properties and increased efficacy as an anti-biofilm agent against pathogenic bacteria.

Research Authors
D. Hamad, Emad H. M. Hassanein, Shimaa H. Salem, Fatma. M. Tawfiq & Ahmed M. Sayed
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Molecular Biotechnology
Research Member
Research Publisher
Springer Nature
Research Website
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12033-025-01457-x
Research Year
2025

Micro gold electrode-integrated SnO₂ nanowires for highly selective sensor

Research Abstract

This work lies in the integration of a one-micron-gap gold electrode with SnO₂ nanowires, enhancing electric field intensity and interfacial charge transfer. This configuration enables highly sensitive gas detection at a low operating temperature of 50◦C. The study presents a SnO₂ nanowire-based gas sensor featuring a novel onemicron-gap electrode configuration for enhanced sensitivity and selectivity in detecting atmospheric pollutants such as NO₂, H₂S, H₂, and CO. The SnO₂ nanowires were synthesized via thermal evaporation, with the electrode gaps created using focused ion beam (FIB) technology. The fabricated sensor demonstrated efficient gas response characteristics, particularly for NO₂ at 2 ppm and H₂S at 5 ppm, across a range of low temperatures (RT - 350◦C). At an operating temperature of 50◦C, the sensor responded quickly to NO₂, with a response time of 105 s and a recovery time of 121 s. The sensor demonstrated a response time of 147 s and a recovery time of 147 s for H₂S at 5 ppm. The high surface-to-volume ratio of SnO₂ nanowires, combined with the concentrated electric field of the narrow-gap electrodes, facilitated rapid charge transfer and efficient gas adsorption. These results underline the potential of this configuration for low-power, high-sensitivity gas sensing applications. The plasmonic changes in micro-gold electrodes upon exposure to NO₂, H₂S, CO, and H₂ gases enhance the gas sensor’s selectivity by modulating the localized electric field and charge transfer at the electrode surface. The results demonstrate a promising approach for low-power, high-performance gas sensing using optimized electrode geometry.

Research Authors
N.M. Shaalan , O. Saber , A. Aljaafari , A.R. Altayar , M.M. Ahmad , D. Hamad
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Sensors and Actuators: A. Physical
Research Member
Research Pages
116709
Research Vol
392
Research Website
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2025.116709
Research Year
2025

Enhanced methane sensing with gold nanoparticle-decorated reduced graphene oxide (AuNPs/rGO) nanocomposites

Research Abstract

In this study, a controlled citrate-based reduction process for uniform Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) nucleation on defect-engineered reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to enhance active sites and CH4 interaction was introduced. AuNPs/rGO sensor achieves high sensitivity at low temperatures with superior selectivity to CH4. The AuNPs/ rGO nanocomposite was synthesized via a modified Hummer’s method, followed by citrate-based reduction, resulting in the effective nucleation of AuNPs on rGO. Comprehensive structural and morphological made by various characterization tools confirmed the successful formation and uniform distribution of AuNPs on rGO sheets. The gas sensing performance was evaluated at various operating temperatures, demonstrating that AuNPs enhance CH4 sensing, and enable detection at a low operating temperature of 150 ◦C. They facilitate faster response/recovery times of 53 s/21 s and boost selectivity over other gases such as H2 and CO. The improved sensor performance is attributed to the increased active adsorption sites and improved transfer efficiency of the charge due to the presence of AuNPs. The sensor exhibited excellent repeatability, highlighting its potential for practical applications in environmental monitoring and industrial safety. The work suggests that AuNPs/rGO nanocomposites are promising materials for the development of efficient and reliable CH4 gas sensors. The sensor response was evaluated concerning both temperature and humidity variations at an operating temperature of 150 ◦C. A 1 % Rh variation had the same impact on the sensor response as 52.9 ppm CH₄, while a 1 ◦C temperature change corresponded to an equivalent response shift of 27.05 ppm CH₄.

Research Authors
Nagih M. Shaalan , Dalia Hamad
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Sensors and Actuators: B. Chemical
Research Member
Research Pages
137865
Research Vol
439
Research Website
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2025.137865
Research Year
2025

Forensically Importance of Beetle (Dermestids Maculatus) on Rat Carcasses ZnCoS Nanoparticles Toxicity at Different Decomposition Stages During Winter Season

Research Abstract

Background and Objective: Forensic entomotoxicology examines how toxins affect the development of arthropods that feed on decaying bodies, which can influence post-mortem interval (PMI) calculations. This research focuses on the impact of ZnCoS nanoparticles (NPs) on the decomposition stages of rat carcasses and their effects on Dermestes maculatus; a species of forensic relevance. Materials and Methods: Thirty albino rats were assigned to control and treatment groups, receiving different doses of ZnCoS NPs. The decomposition was observed daily for a month, with arthropods collecting regularly. The development rates and structural changes in Dermestes maculatus were examined using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: Exposure to ZnCoS NPs resulted in a 22–33 hour delay in the PMI for specific insect species. Structural damage, especially to the wings of Dermestes maculatus, was evident, showing signs of apoptosis. These findings indicate that ZnCoS NPs alter both insect growth and the rate of decomposition. Conclusion: ZnCoS NPs have a notable impact on decomposition and PMI estimation, underscoring the importance of further forensic investigation into nanoparticle toxicity. SEM and TEM proved an efficiency in conducting postmortem toxicological analyses.

Research Authors
Fatma El-Zahraa A. Abd El-Aziz Asmaa F.A. Dawood Shahina Khan Shereen M. Refaie Aliya E. M. Elbadwi Mariem A. Rabab Mostafa A. Asmaey Dalia A. Ahmed
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences B. Zoology
Research Member
Research Pages
173-185
Research Vol
16(2)
Research Website
DOI: 10.21608/EAJBSZ.2024.396028
Research Year
2024

Impact of TiO2 Nanoparticles as Protective Sunscreen Cream on Earthworms via Histological and Electron Microscopic Studies

Research Abstract

Maintaining the stability of environmental organisms is crucial for their survival, yet it face significant challenges due to climate change, particularly ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation can cause severe damage to DNA, and lead to morphological changes, deformities, and even death. This damage can be mitigated through the use of protective creams manufactured using nanotechnology. In this work, we investigate the effects of UV-C radiation on earthworms, with a focus on their skin damage response. We employed histological examination and electron microscopy to study these effects in detail. Our findings reveal that earthworms display extreme sensitivity when exposed to UV-C light. As an initial defensive response, they produce a subterranean fluid post-autopsy. However, increased doses of UV-C lead to tissue inflammation and subsequent death. Notably, when TiO2 nanoparticles were applied before UV-C exposure, they effectively protected the worms from UV-induced damage. This study provides valuable insights into the impact of UV radiation on earthworms and highlights the potential of nanotechnology in offering protection.

Research Authors
Asmaa F. A. Dawood, Dalia A. Hamad, Fatma El-Zahraa A. Abd El-Aziz, Asmaa R. Abdel-Malek, Salma Osman Taha, Abeir Bashir Hasan, Mostafa A. Asmaey
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
ChemistrySelect
Research Pages
e202404928
Research Publisher
ChemistrySelect
Research Vol
Volume 9, Issue 45
Research Website
https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.202404928
Research Year
2024

A review on Chitosan and Camel milk/Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs): A Synergistic Approach to Biomedical and Environmental Challenges

Research Abstract

In underdeveloped nations, multidrug resistance has grown to be a serious problem. Multidrug resistance bacterial infections lead to a significant increase in patients, death and the cost of prolonged treatment. For this, there is an urgent need to design strategies to improve the antimicrobial potential of therapeutic agents. The current review aims to synthesize chitosan-coated organic Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and camel milk and use them to treat many diseases. A chitosan has activities that include the antitumor, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. These traits position them as promising therapeutic polymers. Camel milk has also shown diverse applications, affecting various aspects such as bone health, muscle function, blood standards, brain function, pancreatic activity, immune response, cancer prevention, infection resistance, metabolism, wound healing, learning, and aging. Metal-Organometallic frameworks (MOFs) are an extremely modifiable hybrid material, consisting of metal ions bound together by organic bonds that have been used as excellent drug delivery agents for cancer and many other diseases. We also highlight the role of chitosan in remove fine suspended particles and heavy metals from polluted the environment. A discovery about the power of chitosan, which was manufactured from food waste and used as a green solution to new environmental challenges.

Research Authors
D. Hamad Asmaa F.A. Dawood Hanan A. Ahmed Fatma El-Zahraa A. Abd El-Aziz
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Egyptian Journal of Chemistry
Research Member
Research Pages
203 - 216
Research Publisher
Egypt. J. Chem.
Research Vol
68
Research Website
DOI: 10.21608/EJCHEM.2024.281998.9566
Research Year
2024

Dehydration of un-irradiated and gamma and electron-beam irradiated europium acetate hydrate under non-isothermal conditions, kinetics of the dehydration process of un-irradiated material

Research Abstract

The authors present here the decomposition of un-irradiated (pristine) as well as of gamma (γ) and electron beam (EB) irradiated samples of europium (III) acetate hydrate (EuAc.xH2O) in the temperature range of 25-900  in the air atmosphere. Two absorbed doses of 103 (γ-ray) and 102 kGy (EB) were examined. The profiles of the TG curves of the dehydration process display noticeable changes in induction periods and mass loss percentages by exposure to irradiation. The kinetics of the dehydration process were analyzed using both model-fitting and model-free approaches. The dehydration process was controlled by the phase boundary model (R2). The Ea −α plots indicate that the dehydration is not a complex process and follows one reaction mechanism. Powder X-ray diffraction displayed that europium acetate hydrate crystallizes in a monoclinic system (SG P2/m), and no phase transformation was detected by two sources of irradiation up to 103 (γ-ray) and 102 kGy (EB). Thermodynamic parameters of the dehydration process were calculated and assessed. A predicted thermogram (TG) of the isothermal dehydration of EuAc.xH2O was constructed from non-isothermal data and used to determine the reaction model and the kinetic parameters of the dehydration process.

Research Authors
Noura Mossaed Saleh*, Hisham Fouad Aly, Eman Abdelrahman Mahmoud Ahmed and Refaat Mohamed Mahfouz
Research Date
Research Department
Research File
Research Journal
Radiochim. Acta
Research Member
Research Pages
229-243
Research Publisher
ED GRUYTER
Research Vol
113(3)
Research Website
https://doi.org/10.1515/ract-2024-0317
Research Year
2024

Dehydration of un-irradiated and gamma and electron-beam irradiated europium acetate hydrate under non-isothermal conditions: Kinetics of the dehydration process of un-irradiated material

Research Abstract

The authors present here the decomposition of un-irradiated (pristine) as well as of gamma (γ) and electron beam (EB) irradiated samples of europium (III) acetate hydrate (EuAc.xH2O) in the temperature range of 25-900  in the air atmosphere. Two absorbed doses of 103 (γ-ray) and 102 kGy (EB) were examined. The profiles of the TG curves of the dehydration process display noticeable changes in induction periods and mass loss percentages by exposure to irradiation. The kinetics of the dehydration process were analyzed using both model-fitting and model-free approaches. The dehydration process was controlled by the phase boundary model (R2). The −α plots indicate that the dehydration is not a complex process and follows one reaction mechanism. Powder X-ray diffraction displayed that europium acetate hydrate crystallizes in a monoclinic system (SG P2/m), and no phase transformation was detected by two sources of irradiation up to 103 (γ-ray) and 102 kGy (EB). Thermodynamic parameters of the dehydration process were calculated and assessed. A predicted thermogram (TG) of the isothermal dehydration of EuAc.xH2O was constructed from non-isothermal data and used to determine the reaction model and the kinetic parameters of the dehydration process.

Research Authors
Noura Mossaed Saleha* Hisham Fouad Aly, Eman Abdelrahman Mahmoud Ahmed, Refaat Mohamed Mahfouz
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Radiochim. Acta
Research Pages
229-243
Research Publisher
DE GRUYTER
Research Vol
113(3)
Research Website
https://doi.org/10.1515/ract-2024-0317
Research Year
2024
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