This research work focuses on the isolation and thermo-chemical modification of cellulose and its application as an adsorbent for the removal of organic pollutants. The used cellulose was collected from a locally available plant (Olive Europa) commonly called Zaitoon. The stem branches of Zaitoon were collected and then kept in water for 40–45 days at room temperature to extract the cellulose fibers. These cellulose fibers were then kept in the Soxhlet apparatus for washing in n-hexane for 72 h. The purified cellulose was divided into three parts: one part was subjected to thermal activation (TAC), the second was modified chemically (CMC) with Benzyl Chloride, while the last one remained un-functionalized (UFC). All the three forms of cellulose were characterized via FTIR and SEM, then utilized for the removal of Titan Yellow (TY) dye from aqueous media via adsorption process by varying the contact time, temperature, concentration of dye and type, and dose of adsorbent. The adsorption efficiencies of all adsorbents were compared under different experimental variables. Thermally activated cellulose showed the best results for the removal of TY compared with other materials. The calculated removal percentage of TY was found to be 97.69, 94.83, 94.83, and 98% under equilibrium conditions of contact time, temperature, adsorbent dose, and TY concentration. Similarly, the uptake capacities of TAC under optimal experimental conditions were found to be 19.56, 18.96, 18.52, and 18.75 mg/g. Thermodynamic studies of TAC, CMC, and UFC showed that the values of ΔG are negative, while those of ΔH and ΔS are positive in all cases and at all temperatures. This indicates that the TY elimination process is endothermic and spontaneous with an entropy-driven nature. The obtained results indicate that the as-fabricated low-cost biomaterials can effectively remove dyes from wastewater through physicochemical interactions. The removal process was influenced by the nature of the adsorbent and the operating variables.

Nanotechnology has a solution for membrane fouling which remained a challenge to the membrane technology.

The rapid growth in population and industrialization have significantly increased global energy demand, placing immense pressure on finite and environmentally harmful conventional fossil fuel-based energy sources. In this context, the development of hybrid electrocatalysts presents a crucial solution for energy conversion and storage, addressing environmental challenges while meeting rising energy needs. In this study, the fabrication of a novel bifunctional catalyst, copper nickel aluminum spinel (Cu_0.5Ni_0.5Al₂O₄) supported on graphitic carbon nitride (GCN), using a solid-state synthesis process is reported. Because of its effective interface design and spinel cubic structure, the Cu_0.5Ni_0.5Al₂O₄/GCN nanocomposite, as synthesized, performs exceptionally well in electrochemical energy conversion, such as the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and energy storage. In particular, compared to noble metals, Pt/C- and IrO₂-based water-splitting cells require higher voltages (1.70 V), while for the Cu_0.5Ni_0.5Al₂O₄/GCN nanocomposite, a voltage of 1.49 V is sufficient to generate a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² in an alkaline solution. When used as supercapacitor electrode materials, Cu_0.5Ni_0.5Al₂O₄/GCN nanocomposites show a specific capacitance of 1290 F g⁻¹ at a current density of 1 A g⁻¹ and maintain a specific capacitance of 609 F g⁻¹ even at a higher current density of 5 A g⁻¹, suggesting exceptional rate performance and charge storage capacity. The electrode’s exceptional capacitive properties were further confirmed through the determination of the roughness factor (Rf), which represents surface heterogeneity and active area enhancement, with a value of 345.5. These distinctive characteristics render the Cu_0.5Ni_0.5Al₂O₄/GCN composite a compelling alternative to fossil fuels in the ongoing quest for a viable replacement. Undoubtedly, the creation of the Cu_0.5Ni_0.5Al₂O₄/GCN composite represents a significant breakthrough in addressing the energy crisis and environmental concerns. Owing to its unique composition and electrocatalytic characteristics, it is considered a feasible choice in the pursuit of ecologically sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels.