The following data provide evidence of the green functionalization process of a cellulose substrate by gamma radiation to be used as template in the preparation of photocatalyst composites. Functionalized cellulose, by gamma radiation treatment, improved its stability in water and exhibited a reduced size. Our data showed an intensification of carbonyl groups signal and a decrease in the thermal stability of the cellulose as result of the gamma radiation dose. Infrared and thermal data of the treated cellulose provide evidence of bond scission and the formation of functional groups that improved it is application as template. Finally, the conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) was deposited on the gamma irradiated cellulose to be used as photo-catalyze in the treatment of contaminated water with pharmaceutical compounds.

The occurrence of pharmaceutical pollutants in aquatic matrices has been reported as an increasing concern around the world. Sustainable and feasible water treatment technologies are necessary to mitigate water pollution. In this study, we developed an environmentally friendly biochar electro-degradative system using biomass derived through green technologies. The system demonstrated exceptional removal efficiency, achieving over 99% removal of acetaminophen, sulindac, and carbamazepine following biochar electro-degradative treatment. Similar results were achieved from the mixture of the three compounds. The biochar column reusability confirmed the system stability, even after repeating the degradation cycles. Our findings highlight the potential of this novel electro-degradative system as an effective solution for the removal of pharmaceutical residues from wastewater.

In this work, the effect of iron(III) in the preparation of a conductive porous composite using a biomass waste-based starch template was evaluated. Biopolymers are obtained from natural sources, for instance, starch from potato waste, and its conversion into value-added products is highly significant in a circular economy. The biomass starch-based conductive cryogel was polymerized via chemical oxidation of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) using iron(III) p-toluenesulfonate as a strategy to functionalize porous biopolymers. Thermal, spectrophotometric, physical, and chemical properties of the starch template, starch/iron(III), and the conductive polymer composites were evaluated. The impedance data of the conductive polymer deposited onto the starch template confirmed that at a longer soaking time, the electrical performance of the composite was improved, slightly modifying its microstructure. The functionalization of porous cryogels and aerogels using polysaccharides as raw materials is of great interest for applications in electronic, environmental, and biological fields.

In this work, starch-based porous cryogels with controlled mechanical and electrical properties were prepared for tissue engineering applications. The starch cryogels were formulated using κ-carrageenan, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and styrylpyridinium-substituted PVA (SbQ) into the composite. A conductive cryogel was polymerized by chemical oxidation of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) using iron(III) p-toluenesulfonate as a strategy to control the electrical properties. The physical, thermal, and mechanical properties were evaluated for the obtained composites. Macro- and nanoscale results confirmed the capability of tuning the mechanical properties of the material by the addition of biopolymers in different contents. The presence of κ-carrageenan significantly increased the storage modulus and decreased the damping effect in the formulations. The presence of PVA showed a plasticizing effect in the formulations, confirmed by the buffering effect and an increase in storage modulus. PVA-SBQ improved the mechanical properties by cross-linking. The addition of PEDOT increased the mechanical and electrical properties of the obtained materials.

Diapausing embryos of sessile rotifers remain poorly characterized, limiting comparative analyses of diapause strategies across Monogononta. We examined the diapausing embryos of four sessile species— Collotheca monastica , Ptygura crystallina , Ptygura ctenoida, and Ptygura thalenoiensis —using light microscopy, electron-based imaging, and atomic force measurements to characterize eggshell morphology, layering, and mechanical properties. These approaches reveal either a three-layered, single-piece eggshell or a two-layered bivalved configuration, together with marked differences in stiffness, adhesion, and deformation modes. Comparisons with planktonic rotifers indicate that sessile species generally produce more elongated diapausing embryos with thinner eggshell layers, whereas planktonic taxa tend to retain thicker and more ornamented eggshells. These differences may reflect the distinct protective contexts in which embryos develop. Our observations also suggest a possible correspondence between the eggshell layers of sessile and planktonic lineages, although confirming such homology would require broader taxonomic sampling and ultrastructural comparisons. Variation in tube geometry and firmness probably parallels differences in embryo shape. Ornamentation is presumably less developed in species whose tubes or substrates provide stronger protection. Together, these results provide a comparative framework linking eggshell structure, mechanical performance, and protective environment across sessile and planktonic lineages.