Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are widely used in human and veterinary medicine and are ubiquitous in the environment worldwide. This paper recapitulates the occurrence, fate, and ecotoxicity of fluoroquinolone antibiotics in various environmental media. The toxicity effect is reviewed based on in vitro and in vivo experiments referring to many organisms, such as microorganisms, cells, higher plants, and land and aquatic animals. Furthermore, a comparison of the various toxicology mechanisms of fluoroquinolone antibiotic residues on environmental organisms is made. This study identifies gaps in the investigation of the toxic effects of fluoroquinolone antibiotics and mixtures of multiple fluoroquinolone antibiotics on target and nontarget organisms. The study of the process of natural transformation toward drug-resistant bacteria is also recognized as a knowledge gap. This review also details the combined toxicity effect of fluoroquinolone antibiotics and other chemicals on organisms and the adsorption capacity in various environmental matrices, and the scarcity of data on the ecological toxicology evaluation system of fluoroquinolone antibiotics is identified. The present study entails a critical review of the literature providing guidelines for the government to control the discharge of pollutants into the environment and formulate policy coordination. Future study work should focus on developing a standardized research methodology for fluoroquinolone antibiotics to guide enterprises in the design and production of drugs with high environmental biocompatibility.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical used extensively in plastics and resins. However, its endocrine-disrupting properties pose risks to human health and the environment. Thus, accurate and rapid detection of BPA is crucial for exposure monitoring and risk mitigation. Molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensors (MIES) have emerged as a promising tool for BPA detection due to their high selectivity, sensitivity, affordability, and portability. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in MIES for BPA detection. We discuss the operating principles, fabrication strategies, materials, and methods used in MIES. Key findings show that MIES demonstrate detection limits comparable or superior to conventional methods like HPLC and GC-MS. Selectivity studies reveal excellent discrimination between BPA and structural analogs. Recent innovations in nanomaterials, novel monomers, and fabrication techniques have enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and stability. However, limitations exist in reproducibility, selectivity, and stability. While challenges remain, MIES provide a low-cost portable detection method suitable for on-site BPA monitoring in diverse sectors. Further optimization of sensor fabrication and characterization will enable the immense potential of MIES for field-based BPA detection.
Surface-engineered coatings have been increasingly applied to functionalize fabrics due to the ease of deposition of the coatings and their effectiveness in endowing the fabric with abundant properties. Among the surface modification methods, layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly has emerged as an important approach for creating multifunctional surfaces on fabrics. In this review, bibliometric analysis with the visualization analysis of LbL self-assembly coatings on fabrics was performed on publications extracted from the Web of Science (WOS) from 2005 to 2021 based on the CiteSpace software. The analysis results showed that research on LbL self-assembly coatings on fabrics has attracted much attention, and this technique has plentiful and flexible applications. Moreover, research on the LbL self-assembly method in the field of functionalization of fabrics has been summarized, which include flame retardant fabric, antibacterial fabric, ultraviolet resistant fabric, hydrophobic fabric and electromagnetic shielding fabric. It was found that the functionalization of the fabric has been changing from singularity to diversification. Based on the review, several future research directions can be proposed. The weatherability, comfort, cost and environmental friendliness should be considered when the multifunctional coatings are designed.
Transparent wood (TW), an emerging sustainable material with high optical transmittance and mechanical strength, is hindered by the inherent flammability of its cellulose-lignin matrix, posing fire risks. To address this, we developed an eco-friendly flame-retardant TW by integrating phosphorylated sodium alginate (PSA)-filled delignified wood with polyurethane acrylic resin (PUA). Delignified balsa wood was freeze-dried into a porous structure, functionalized with PSA, and reinforced with UV-cured PUA. Structural characterization confirmed uniform PSA coating on delignified wood channels, introducing phosphorus groups that enhanced thermal stability and flame retardancy. Combustion tests revealed self-extinguishing behavior in PSA-modified delignified woods, reducing peak heat release rate (pHRR) by 67 % and total heat release (THR) by 80 % versus delignified wood. The final PUA/wood-PSA3 composite demonstrated a 27 % pHRR reduction and 47 % lower THR compared to pure PUA, alongside 61 % less smoke emission. Optical transmittance of composites decreased moderately due to PSA's light absorption, while tensile strengths of PUA/wood composites surged to 30 MPa owing to the aligned cellulose scaffold. The flame-retardant mechanisms were investigated using characterization of the char residue and molecular dynamics simulations. These methods demonstrated the effectiveness of phosphorus-induced char formation and radical quenching in enhancing fire safety while preserving essential material properties.
Flame-retardant science and technology are sciences developed to prevent the occurrence of fire, meet the needs of social safety production, and protect people’s lives and property. Rigid polyurethane (PU) is a polymer formed by the additional polymerization reaction of a molecule with two or more isocyanate functional groups with a polyol containing two or more reactive hydroxyl groups under a suitable catalyst and in an appropriate ratio. Rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) is a foam-like material with a large contact area with oxygen when burning, resulting in rapid combustion. At the same time, RPUF produces a lot of toxic gases when burning and endangers human health. Improving the flame-retardant properties of RPUF is an important theme in flame-retardant science and technology. This review discusses the development of flame-retardant RPUF through the lens of bibliometrics. A total of 194 articles are analyzed, spanning from 1963 to 2021. We describe the development and focus of this theme at different stages. The various directions of this theme are discussed through keyword co-occurrence and clustering analysis. Finally, we provide reasonable perspectives about the future research direction of this theme based on the bibliometric results.
The imperative for high-performance protective materials has catalyzed the rapid evolution of polyurea (PUA) coatings, widely recognized for their mechanical robustness, chemical resistance, and rapid-curing properties. However, their inherent flammability and harmful combustion byproducts pose significant challenges for safe use in applications where fire safety is a critical concern. In response, significant efforts focus on improving the fire resistance of PUA materials through chemical modifications and the use of functional additives. The review highlights progress in developing flame-retardant approaches for PUA coatings, placing particular emphasis on the underlying combustion mechanisms and the combined action of condensed-phase, gas-phase, and interrupted heat feedback pathways. Particular emphasis is placed on phosphorus-based, intumescent, and nano-enabled flame retardants, as well as hybrid systems incorporating two-dimensional nanomaterials and metal–organic frameworks, with a focus on exploring their synergistic effects in enhancing thermal stability, reducing smoke production, and maintaining mechanical integrity. By evaluating current strategies and recent progress, this work identifies key challenges and outlines future directions for the development of high-performance and fire-safe PUA coatings. These insights aim to guide the design of next-generation protective materials that meet the growing demand for safety and sustainability in advanced engineering applications.