In the present work, a highly efficient mixed matrix membrane (MMM) for humic acid (HA) removal was developed. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were functionalized in the presence of 3-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane using the co-condensation method and were subsequently loaded with TiO₂ (prepared via the sol–gel route). The as-prepared material was then incorporated into a PES polymer solution to prepare a fMWCNT-TiO₂/PES hybrid membrane via non-solvent induced phase inversion. The microstructure of the membrane was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, water contact angle, thickness, porosity, and pore size. The fMWCNT-TiO₂/PES hybrid membrane was tested for the removal of HA and antifouling performance. The results show that the surface hydrophilicity of the membranes was greatly improved upon the addition of the fMWCNT-TiO₂ particles. The results show that 92% of HA was effectively removed after 1 h of filtration. In comparison with pristine membrane, the incorporation of fMWCNT-TiO₂ nanoparticles led to enhanced pure water flux (99.05 L/m² h), permeate flux (62.01 L/m² h), higher HA rejection (92%), and antifouling improvement (RFR: 37.40%, FRR: 86.02%). Thus, the fMWCNT-TiO₂/PES hybrid membrane is considered to be a great potential membrane for the improvement of ultrafiltration membranes.

This study investigates the effects of nanocellulose crystal (NCC) and nanocellulose fibre (NCF) additives on the thermal ageing resistance and biodegradation behavior of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)/natural rubber (PHBV/NR) blends. Nanocomposites containing 0–5 wt% of NCC or NCF were prepared and subjected to thermal ageing and soil burial tests. Thermal ageing results showed that both NCC and NCF enhanced the pre-ageing mechanical properties of PHBV/NR blends, with NCC providing slightly superior performance. Soil burial tests revealed that nanocellulose additives significantly improved the biodegradability of the blends, with NCF showing more pronounced effects at lower concentrations. FTIR analysis indicated subtle changes in chemical structure during degradation, while optical microscopy analyses demonstrated significant morphological changes in nanocellulose-containing samples after soil burial. The contact angle results show that NCFs significantly increase hydrophilicity because of their fibrous morphology and network formation. The optimal nanocellulose concentration for enhanced biodegradability was found to be around 3% for both types, with PHBV/NR/NCF3 exhibiting the highest overall weight loss of 27.0% after 42 days. This study highlights the potential of nanocellulose additives in developing biodegradable polymer nanocomposites with tailored degradation profiles and improved long-term performance for applications requiring thermal stability and controlled biodegradability.

This comprehensive review investigates recent advancements in separation technologies for gold extraction, focusing on sustainable and efficient methods to address environmental concerns associated with traditional practices. The study explores innovative techniques such as hydrometallurgical methods, biocyanidation, biosorption, and membrane technology, evaluating their mechanisms and environmental implications. Significant trends in gold extraction have emerged over the past five years, as revealed by a comprehensive review of numerous studies. One such trend is the increasing adoption of non-toxic leaching agents like thiocyanate, which show comparable recovery rates to cyanide while posing lower environmental risks. Additionally, advancements in bioleaching through engineered microbial strains have demonstrated improved gold solubilization efficiencies, with reported increases of up to 25% in recovery rates. Membrane technologies, particularly composite and nanostructured membranes, have emerged as promising alternatives for selective gold ion separation, offering enhanced permeability and selectivity. The integration of these advanced technologies into hybrid systems further enhances overall recovery rates, with efficiencies of over 95% when combining biological and physical separation methods. This review concludes that the future of gold extraction lies in the combination of these innovative technologies, which improve recovery efficiencies and address critical environmental concerns. The ongoing research in this field is vital for the development of sustainable gold recovery processes that meet both economic and ecological demands. By examining the mechanisms, efficiencies, and environmental impacts of these methods, this paper highlights the future potential of separation technologies in sustainable gold recovery.

Extrusion blow molding (EBM) is widely used for manufacturing plastic products, with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) being a key material due to its flexibility and processability. However, its high consumption contributes significantly to plastic waste accumulation and the depletion of non-renewable resources. Recycling LDPE is a promising approach to reducing plastic waste, but multiple reprocessing cycles and blending can alter the properties, potentially affecting product quality and performance. Grasping the degradation mechanisms and property retention of LDPE blends is essential for upholding product quality while advancing sustainability. This research investigates the impacts of recycled LDPE (rLDPE) and re-recycled LDPE (rrLDPE) on LDPE blends, focusing on physical, flow behavior, mechanical, structural, morphological and thermal properties. The findings indicate that moisture content and density increased with higher recycled content due to oxidation, while melt flow index (MFI) increased, which implies a reduced in molecular weight. Both tensile and impact strength diminished, with FESEM further revealed brittle fracture features especially in rrLDPE blends, underscoring ongoing polymer degradation leading to mechanical deterioration. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis verified oxidative alterations through increased hydroxyl (-OH) and carbonyl (C=O) functional groups, while differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results indicated a reduction in crystallinity from 49.17% (vLDPE) to 34.23% (rrLDPE), confirming structural degradation. Blends with ≤30 wt% rLDPE maintained acceptable performance, while rrLDPE content exceeding 10 wt% led to significant deterioration. These findings provide insights into optimizing sustainable LDPE formulations, balancing environmental benefits with material integrity.

Poly (vinylidene fluoride‑co‑hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF‑HFP) polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) are widely used across separation industries because of their ability to selectively separate ions or molecules, their chemical stability, and their mechanical flexibility. Still, improving how the membrane performs without making the membrane material properties deteriorate remains a challenge. In this study, Aliquat 336 and Cyphos IL 104 were blended with PVDF‑HFP and fabricated through the solvent casting method. The main objective of this study is to understand how the ionic liquids can affect the membrane’s chemical properties, physical properties, mechanical stability, and its ability to recover gold through an H-cell setup. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of Aliquat 336, showing bands associated with quaternary ammonium groups, while Cyphos IL 104 displayed vibrations related to phosphonium‑related P–C. SEM images further revealed clear differences in how the membrane morphology looked. Pure PVDF-HFP alone had compact surfaces; Aliquat 336 membranes appeared to have smoother features, and Cyphos IL 104 membranes developed rougher surfaces with micro-voids. The addition of ionic liquids also increased membrane porosity from 25 % in the pure membrane to 45 % with the addition of ionic liquids. At the same time, the contact angle dropped from 90° to 58°, indicating improved hydrophilicity. Mechanical testing showed that pure PVDF‑HFP had the highest tensile strength (30 MPa), modulus (450 MPa), and tear resistance (2.5 N/mm). Membranes with higher Aliquat 336 content retained better tear resistance, close to 2.0 N/mm, while maintaining smoother membrane surfaces. In comparison, the addition of Cyphos IL 104 adversely impacts the mechanical properties. Gold extraction experiments showed promising performance. The PVDF-HFP/A15C20 membrane achieved 76 % recovery within 12 h. The combination of both Aliquat 336 and Cyphos IL 104 improved ion transport while maintaining acceptable membrane stability properties. Overall, the results showed that the ionic liquid composition has a strong influence on both the membrane’s durability properties and separation performance. These findings provide a useful approach for developing membranes in precious metal recovery applications.