In this study, a novel hydrodynamic cavitation unit combined with a glow plasma discharge system (HC-GPD) was proposed for the degradation of pharmaceutical compounds in drinking water. Metronidazole (MNZ), a commonly used broad-spectrum antibiotic, was selected to demonstrate the potential of the proposed system. Cavitation bubbles generated by hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) can provide a pathway for charge conduction during glow plasma discharge (GPD). The synergistic effect between HC and GPD promotes the production of hydroxyl radicals, emission of UV light, and shock waves for MNZ degradation. Sonochemical dosimetry provided information on the enhanced formation of hydroxyl radicals during glow plasma discharge compared to hydrodynamic cavitation alone. Experimental results showed a MNZ degradation of 14% in 15 min for the HC alone (solution initially containing 300 × 10^-6 mol L^-1 MNZ). In experiments with the HC-GPD system, MNZ degradation of 90% in 15 min was detected. No significant differences were observed in MNZ degradation in acidic and alkaline solutions. MNZ degradation was also studied in the presence of inorganic anions. Experimental results showed that the system is suitable for the treatment of solutions with conductivity up to 1500 × 10^-6 S cm^-1. The results of sonochemical dosimetry showed the formation of oxidant species of 0.15 × 10^-3 mol H₂O₂ L^-1 in the HC system after 15 min. For the HC-GPD system, the concentration of oxidant species after 15 min reached 13 × 10^-3 molH₂O₂L^-1. Based on these results, the potential of combining HC and GPD systems for water treatment was demonstrated. The present work provided useful information on the synergistic effect between hydrodynamic cavitation and glow plasma discharge and their application for the degradation of antibiotics in drinking water.

Mechanochemical treatment of various organic molecules is an emerging technology of green processes in biofuel, fine chemicals, or food production. Many biopolymers are involved in isolating, derivating, or modifying molecules of natural origin. Mechanochemistry provides a powerful tool to achieve these goals, but the unintentional modification of biopolymers by mechanochemical manipulation is not always obvious or even detectable. Although modeling molecular changes caused by mechanical stresses in cavitation and grinding processes is feasible in small model compounds, simulation of extrusion processes primarily relies on phenomenological approaches that allow only tool- and material-specific conclusions. The development of analytical and computational techniques allows for the inline and real-time control of parameters in various mechanochemical processes. Using artificial intelligence to analyze process parameters and product characteristics can significantly improve production optimization. We aim to review the processes and consequences of possible chemical, physicochemical, and structural changes.

Over the last decade, enabling technologies and sustainable catalysis have become appealing options for biodiesel preparation because of their impressive process intensification and energy savings. The present review will compare the most innovative protocols that have been developed and improved to use non-conventional energy sources and catalysts that are performed, in particular, using continuous-flow methods. Although this account cannot be comprehensive, it will, however, provide a good overview of the reaction-rate improvements and catalyst activation that is provided by microwaves, ultrasound, hydrodynamic cavitation, flow reactors and even hybrid techniques. Advantages and limitations are discussed together with industrial scalability.

This work presents a proof of concept for a green cyclodextrin derivatisation method that uses low-boiling epoxide reagents in a high-energy ball mill (HEBM). The simplified preparation and purification of low substitution-degree common (2-hydroxy)propylated β- and γ-cyclodextrins (β/γ-CDs) has been realised. The intelligent use of propylene oxide has also facilitated the more effective synthesis of highly substituted γ-CD. Epichlorohydrin-crosslinked CD-polymers (CDPs) have also been effectively prepared in the ball mill. The unoptimised preparations of soluble and insoluble CDPs displayed very small particle size distributions, while the prepared polymers currently have different complexation properties to those of their classically prepared analogues.

Microwave (MW)‐assisted reductive aminations of aldehydes and ketones were carried out in the presence of commercial and homemade heterogeneous Rh‐based catalysts. Ultrasound (US) was used to improve dispersion and stability of metal nanoparticles, while commercial activated carbon and carbon nanofibers were used as supports. Moreover, various bio‐derived molecules were selected as substrates, and aqueous ammonia was used as a cheap and non‐toxic reagent. MW combined with heterogeneous Rh catalysts gave a 98.2 % yield in benzylamine at 80 °C with 10 bar H₂ for 1 h; and a 43.3 % yield in phenylethylamine at 80 °C and 5 bar H₂ for 2 h. Carbon nanofibers proved to be a better support for the metal active phase than simple activated carbon, since a limited yield in benzylamine (10.6 %) but a high selectivity for the reductive amination of ketones was obtained. Thus, raspberry ketone was converted to raspberry amine in a 63.0 % yield.