The increasingly severe antibiotic pollution has become one of the most critical issues. In this study, a zinc peroxide/peroxymonosulfate (ZnO₂/PMS) double-oxidation system was developed for tetracycline (TC) degradation. A small amount of ZnO₂ (10 mg) and PMS (30 mg) could effectively degrade 82.8% of TC (100 mL, 50 mg/L), and the degradation process could be well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Meanwhile, the ZnO₂/PMS double-oxidation system showed high adaptability in terms of reaction temperature (2–40 °C), initial pH value (4–12), common inorganic anions (Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻ and HCO₃⁻), natural water source and organic pollutant type. The quenching experiment and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) characterization results confirmed that the main reactive oxygen species (ROS) was singlet oxygen (¹O₂). Moreover, three possible pathways of TC degradation were deduced according to the analyses of intermediates. On the basis of comparative characterization and experiment results, a synergistic activation mechanism was further proposed for the ZnO₂/PMS double-oxidation system, accounting for the superior degradation performance. The released OH⁻ and H₂O₂ from ZnO₂ could activate PMS to produce major ¹O₂ and minor superoxide radicals (•O₂⁻), respectively.

In order to comprehensively utilize iron ore tailings (IOTs), the possibility of using IOTs as raw materials for the preparation of cementitious composites (IOTCCs) was investigated, and IOTCC was further applied to mine interface pollution control. The mechanical properties, hydration products, wind erosion resistance, and freeze–thaw (F–T) cycle resistance of IOTCCs were evaluated rigorously. The activity index of iron tailings increased from 42% to 78% after grinding for 20 s. The IOTCC was prepared by blending 86% IOT, 10% ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS), and 4% cement clinker. Meanwhile, the hydration products mainly comprised ettringite, calcium hydroxide, and C-S-H gel, and they were characterized via XRD, IR, and SEM. It was observed that ettringite and C-S-H gel were principally responsible for the strength development of IOTCC mortars with an increase in curing time. The results show that the kaolinite of the tailings was decomposed largely after mechanical activation, which promoted the cementitious property of IOT.

Electrolytic manganese residue (EMR), an acidic by-product from manganese production, presents dual challenges of environmental pollution and resource waste. This study developed a silicon–manganese organic compound fertilizer (SMOCF) via the aerobic fermentation of EMR supplemented with bagasse, molasses, and activated sludge. The physicochemical analysis revealed that the EMR’s composition was dominated by silicon (7.1% active Si), calcium, sulfur, and trace elements. Critical parameters during composting—including water-soluble Mn (1.48%), organic matter (8.05%), pH (7.4), moisture (20.28%), and germination index (GI = 87.78%)—met organic fertilizer standards, with the GI exceeding the phytotoxicity threshold (80%). The final SMOCF exhibited favorable agronomic properties: neutral pH, earthy texture, and essential macronutrients (1.36% K, 1.11% N, 0.48% P). Heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Pb) in the SMOCF predominantly existed in stable residual forms, with total concentrations complying with China’s organic fertilizer regulations (GB/T 32951-2016). The ecological risk assessment confirmed a minimal mobilization potential (risk assessment code < 5%), ensuring environmental safety. This work demonstrates a circular economy strategy to repurpose hazardous EMRs into agriculturally viable fertilizers, achieving simultaneous pollution mitigation and resource recovery. The optimized SMOCF meets quality benchmarks for organic fertilizers while addressing heavy metal concerns, providing a scalable solution for industrial EMR valorization. Further studies should validate the field performance and long-term ecological impacts to facilitate practical implementation.

This study develops a one-pot anodic templating electrodeposition strategy using dual-cation-crosslinking and interpenetrating networks, coupled with pulsed electrical signals, to fabricate a vessel-mimetic multilayered tubular hydrogel. Typically, the anodic electrodeposition is performed in a mixture of sodium alginate (SA) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC), with the ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid calcium disodium salt hydrate (EDTA·Na₂Ca) incorporated to provide a secondary ionic crosslinker (i.e., Ca²⁺) and modulate the cascade reaction diffusion process. The copper wire electrodes serve as templates for electrochemical oxidation and enable a copper ion (i.e., Cu²⁺)-induced tubular hydrogel coating formation, while pulsed electric fields regulate layer-by-layer deposition. The dual-cation-crosslinked interpenetrating hydrogels (CMC/SA-Cu/Ca) exhibit rapid growth rates and tailored mechanical strength, along with excellent antibacterial performance. By integrating the unique pulsed electro-fabrication with biomimetic self-assembly, this study addresses challenges in vessel-mimicking structural complexity and mechanical compatibility. The approach enables scalable production of customizable multilayered hydrogels for artificial vessel grafts, smart wound dressings, and bioengineered organ interfaces, demonstrating broad biomedical potential.

The efficient use of energy is an important strategic issue concerning our energy security and double carbon goals. Many industrial waste gases, such as oil refineries, contain a lot of ethylene, which is a gas that is harmful to people and the environment. The use of high-efficiency burners to reduce ethylene emissions is a proven and convenient way, so the improvement and optimization of high-efficiency burners has become a hot research issue nowadays. In this paper, a new porous media burner is designed, and a numerical model of the structure is established based on finite element software. The porous media burner is used to treat low calorific value ethylene and effectively reduce the direct emission of low calorific value ethylene in wastewater treatment and chemical industries. Based on the model, the combustion characteristics and pollutant emission characteristics of premixed gas at different equivalence ratios and different flow rates were investigated. The results show that the maximum combustion temperature can reach 1757K with a constant inlet flow rate of premixed gas and a full combustion at an equivalent ratio of 0.85; the maximum temperature increases rapidly with the increase of flow rate at an inlet flow rate of 0.65-0.85 m/s with a constant equivalent ratio, and the temperature rise effect increases slowly when the flow rate is higher than 0.85 m/s; the new porous media The maximum reduction of pollutant emissions of the new porous media burner reaches 37.9%. This study has a guiding effect on the design and engineering application of porous media combustion devices.