This study investigated the use of NiSe₂/Ag₃PO₄ nanocomposite catalysts for the photocatalytic degradation of RhB and BPA pollutants. Samples of pure NiSe₂, Ag₃PO₄, and NiSe₂/Ag₃PO₄ composites with varying NiSe₂ (10%, 20%, and 30%) proportions were synthesized using hydrothermal techniques. The 20% NiSe₂/Ag₃PO₄ composite showed the greatest photocatalytic efficiency for both RhB and BPA degradation. The study also examined the impact of various factors, such as the initial concentration of dye, catalyst amount, pH, and reaction time, on the photodegradation process. The 20% NiSe₂/Ag₃PO₄ catalyst effectively degraded 10 ppm RhB in 20 min and 20 ppm BPA in 30 min. The physical properties of the samples were examined using SEM, PXRD, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The cycling runs of 20% NiSe₂/Ag₃PO₄ also exhibited improved stability compared to Ag₃PO₄, with a degradation rate of 99% for RhB and BPA. The combination and synergistic effect of NiSe₂ and Ag₃PO₄ played a vital role in enhancing the stability of the photocatalysts. Both the RhB and BPA photodegradation followed pseudo-first-order kinetic models with rate constants of 0.1266 min⁻¹ and 0.2275 min⁻¹, respectively. The study also presented a Z-scheme reaction mechanism to elucidate the process of photodegradation exhibited by the composites after active species capture experiments, which showed that superoxide anion radicals and holes were responsible for the photodegradation.

This study aimed to develop a cost-effective and eco-friendly mosquito-repellent textile finish based on microcapsules incorporated with limonene, camphor, linalool, menthol, and 1-octanol individually. Essential oil-based microcapsules were prepared by the emulsion extrusion microencapsulation method. The concentration of active components was determined by the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique at different time intervals. The prepared microcapsules were incorporated into the textile finish to prepare an insect-repellent finish and applied to polyester: cotton (40:60) fabric using a conventional pad-dry cure method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were performed to ensure the presence and stability of essential oil components on the fabric. FT-IR spectra showed that peaks observed in the range of (3400–3200 cm⁻¹) and (1720–1600 cm⁻¹) correspond to –OH stretching and bending vibrations in both untreated and microencapsulated essential oil-treated fabric. Mosquito-repellent activity was assessed by exposing treated and untreated fabric to mosquitoes. To study the long-lasting impact of microencapsulation of essential oil components on fabric, mosquito repellency was repeated every 10 to 50 days. Fabrics treated with microencapsulated essential oil components presented higher and longer-lasting protection from mosquitoes than untreated fabrics. Menthol (97%), linalool (93%), and limonene (93%) encapsulated finishes showed significantly higher repellency (>90%) as compared with octanol finishes. The studied mosquito repellent finishes could be ideal candidates for textile finishing industries.