Volume 47, Issue 1

The co-pyrolysis (at 300°C and 600°C) of municipal sewage sludge (SS) with zero-valent iron (Fe 0 : 1.5% and 3%) was investigated to reduce the toxicity of arsenic (As) and zinc (Zn) in SS. The BCR sequential extraction method, desorption kinetic analysis, and material characterization techniques (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction) were used to evaluate the effects of the treatments on Zn and As behavior. The results showed that co-pyrolysis significantly reduced the acid-soluble fraction (18–43% for Zn; 83–95% for As) and mobility factor (45–85% for Zn; 86–96% for As) of Zn and As compared to untreated SS. Desorption experiments indicated a significant reduction in Zn and As release in treated samples, particularly in the co-pyrolysis sample at 600°C and Fe 0 3% (67% for Zn; 88% for As) in comparison with untreated SS. Co-pyrolysis of Fe 0 and SS led to the formation of new functional groups (Si–O, aromatic), a more porous surface morphology, and highly stable chemical crystals (ferric arsenate, zinc arsenide), which played a crucial role in Zn and As stabilization. The findings of this study suggest that co-pyrolysis is a promising approach for mitigating As and Zn toxicity in SS. However, additional field testing with plant-based systems is necessary for confirmation.

The design of chemical processes and products with a low use of hazardous substances is known as “green chemistry.” The method of producing nanoparticles (NPs) significantly affects their size and characteristics. Currently, there are two primary methods utilized for synthesizing NPs, known as the bottom-up and top-down approaches. To keep the prices of nanotechnology-based products, the green method employs plant metabolites as reducing agents. Two types of magnetite NPs (Fe 3 O 4 NPs) were synthetized and characterized being denominated NPs1 synthetized by the co-precipitation method and NPs2 synthetized using the green synthesis process. It was found that the Fe 3 O 4 NPs1 has a quasi-spherical morphology with a size of 43 nm, while the Fe 3 O 4 NPs2 has a size of 6 nm.

There is a strong need for exploring the new preparation methods for silyl ethers due to their great potential in synthetic chemistry and materials. At present, the catalytic dehydrogenative coupling of silane and alcohol has been proven to be an attractive way to prepare silyl ethers. In this work, we used a non-metallic and inexpensive phenyl phosphonic acid as a catalyst, which can directly generate corresponding silyl ethers from alcohols and silanes in high yields under relatively mild conditions such as metal-free, no solvents, demonstrating its enormous application potentials. Graphical abstract

This article presents the results of a study on composite coatings based on high-entropy FeCoNiCrCuNb alloys with varying niobium content obtained through high-speed laser cladding. The primary objective of the research is to investigate the influence of composition on the structure, mechanical characteristics, and behaviour of the coatings. Microstructure analyses were performed using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy analysis. The microhardness, shear strength, and coefficient of friction of the composite coatings were examined. It was demonstrated that the microstructure of the coatings is characterized by fine grains and the presence of columnar crystals. An increase in copper content leads to a transition to the face-centred cubic phase with elevated niobium content, influencing the mechanical characteristics. It was revealed that niobium-containing composite coatings exhibit improved mechanical properties and wear resistance. The incorporation of niobium synergistically affects the mechanical characteristics of the alloys. The obtained results hold practical applicability in the field of engineering, particularly where wear resistance and strength are of paramount importance.

Colon cancer presents significant challenges in treatment efficiency and patient outcomes, necessitating innovative, effective strategies due to the adverse effects of conventional therapies. The study aimed to investigate the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using aqueous extract of Morus laevigata (ML) leaves and their potential biomedical applications. ML-ZnO NPs were characterized using analytical techniques. The absorption band at 330 nm was detected by UV–Vis spectroscopy, confirming the formation of ML-ZnO NPs. An average size of 68.5 ± 1.85 nm and a negative zeta potential of −11.1 ± 0.98 mV confirm the stability of nanoparticles in colloidal solutions. FTIR analysis confirmed ML-ZnO NPs, with absorption bands corresponding to Zn–O stretching vibrations and aliphatic CH and CH 2 groups. SEM examination revealed diverse patterns including cauliflower-like formations. Further anticancer activity of ML-ZnO NPs was assessed through cell viability, cell cycle, and apoptosis assays. ML-ZnO NPs inhibited HT-29 cell growth dose dependently, exceeding cisplatin 56.33 ± 0.87% cell viability. Cell cycle arrest at the G2M phase in HT-29 cells treated with ML-ZnO NPs was noticeable, further validated by apoptosis, which showed large increases in apoptotic cell populations. These results may pave the way for future research investigating the potency of ZnO NPs derived from plant extracts to manage colon cancer.

One of the fundamental amino acids for mammals is l -valine, a glycogen-type amino acid. This is an essential amino acid for the production of proteins. N -salicylidene- l -valine is getting attention in recent research due to its distinct structure and elevated catalytic and cytotoxic activity. To understand more about this structure and its characteristics in topological indices, we investigate the chain of supramolecular dialkyltin N -salicylidene- l -valine complexes-2, 3, and 4. We investigate the hyper Zagreb index (HZI), the second HZI, the reduced second HZI, and the hyper-forgotten topological index of the supramolecular chain of certain complexes of N -salicylidene- l -valine. In addition, we analyze graphically and compare these topological invariants.

This article covers almost 130 Pt( ii ) complexes with an inner coordination sphere of cis -PtP 2 Cl 2 . The P-donor ligands are organodiphosphines that create four-, five-, and six-membered metallocyclic rings. There are two types of four-membered rings: PCP and PNCP, and four types of five-membered rings: PC–CP, PC═CP, PNNP, and PCOP. There are wide varieties of the six-membered metallocyclic rings: PC 3 P (most common), PCNCP, PCSCP, PCSiCP, PNCNP, PCCOP, PCCNP, POPNP, POSiOP, P(CNC) 2 P, and P(CNC)(CCC)P. The P–Pt–P bite angles open with the size of the metallocyclic rings in the order (total mean values 72.4° [PXP] < 86.4° [PXXP] < 94.0° [PXXNP]). There are complexes that are examples of distortion and ligand isomerism. The structural data are analyzed and discussed. Graphical abstract

This structural study includes over 70 Pt{η 2 -P(X) n P}(Cl) 2 ( n = 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 15, 18) derivates in which organodiphosphines create wide varieties of the metallocyclic rings: 7 membered (PC 4 P (most common), POC 2 OP, PNC 2 NP, PSC 2 SP, PNC 2 OP; 8 membered (PC 5 P, PC 2 OC 2 P, PC 2 NC 2 P); 9 membered (PC 6 P, POC 4 OP); 10 membered (POC 5 OP, PC 2 OCOC 2 P; PC 3 OC 3 P); 11 membered (PC 8 P,PNC 6 NP,POC 6 OP), 13 membered (PC 3 NC 2 NC 3 P); 14 membered (P(C 2 Cl 3 C 2 P); 18 membered (PC 4 NC 2 NC 2 NC 4 P); and 21 membered (POC 2 NC 10 NC 2 OP). These complexes crystallized in three crystal classes: triclinic (15 examples) < orthorhombic (17 examples) < monoclinic (39 examples). In these complexes, the most common is a predominantly cis arrangement (68 examples) and only 3 examples with trans configuration. The total mean values of Pt–L bond distances in the complexes ( cis vs trans configuration) are 2.232 Å (L = P), 2.353 Å (L = Cl) vs 2.312 and 2.307 Å, respectively. The structural data are compared and discussed with those found in cis -Pt(η 2 -P(X) n P)(Cl) 2 ( n = 1, 2, 3) in which organodiphosphines form four-PCP, PNP; five-PC-CP; PC═CP; six-PC 3 P, PNCNP, PCCOP, PCCNP, PCSCP, PCSiCP; membered metallocyclic rings. Some complexes are examples of distortion and cis – trans isomerism.

Based on phenanthroline derivate ligand and Zn( ii ), two novel coordination polymers, namely [Zn(L)(hta)] n ( 1 ) and {[Zn 2 (L) 2 (dhb) 2 ]·H 2 O} n ( 2 ) (L = 2-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-1 H -imidazo[4,5- f ][1,10]phenanthroline, H 2 hta = heptanedioic acid, and H 2 dhb = 3,5-dinitro-2-hydroxybenzoic acid), have been synthesized under the hydrothermal condition. For 1 , each hta anion bridges two Zn( ii ) atoms in a tridentate mode to shape into a chain structure and through different π–π stacking interactions to form a three-dimensional supramolecular structure. The L ligand of 2 connects two neighbouring Zn( ii ) atoms to give a 1D chain, which is further extended into the 2D supramolecular layer.

The reaction of potassium 2- t -Bu-germabenzenide, in which the anionic carbon atom of phenyl anion is replaced with a germanium atom, with benzil resulted in the 1:2 reaction to give a unique penta-coordinated germanate having a 1,3,2-dioxagermole skeleton. This clearly reflects the characteristics of the germabenzenide as a divalent germanium species.

Under hydrothermal conditions, two novel Zn( ii )/Cd( ii ) complexes [Cd 2 (L) 4 (Cl) 2 ]·(SO 4 ) ( 1 ) and {[Zn 2 (L) 2 (Sip)(OH)]·H 2 O} n ( 2 ) (L = 2-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-1 H -imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline, NaH 2 Sip = 5-sulfoisophthalic acid monosodium salt) were successfully synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and Hirshfeld surface analysis. The study reveals that complex 1 is constructed from the binuclear [Cd 2 L 4 Cl 2 ] unit, and the [Cd 2 L 4 Cl 2 ] units are linked via C–H⋯ π and C–Cl⋯ π interactions into 2D supramolecular layers. These 2D layers are further connected to generate 3D structures by N–H⋯O and N–H⋯S hydrogen bonds. Complex 2 exhibits a 1D double-chain structure consisting of a binuclear [Zn 2 L 2 (OH)] unit, which is further connected by π–π interaction to shape a 2D supramolecular structure.