This study examines a catalyst based on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) for synthesizing glycerol carbonate through the coupling reaction of glycerol and CO2. In this research, we focus on simultaneously improving CO2 emission reduction and glycerol valorization by co-doping g-C3N4 with phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), magnesium (Mg), and lithium (Li) for a better catalytic performance. The catalysts were prepared through a one-step thermal condensation process and characterized using XRD, SEM, TGA, FTIR, and nitrogen adsorption–desorption techniques. The co-doping further enhanced the surface chemical properties, Lewis acidity, basicity, and thermal stability, evidenced by the lower crystallinity, wider pore, and better catalytic performance as assessed through glycerol carbonylation reaction, optimized using a Box–Behnken design. The MgPSCN catalyst exhibited the highest glycerol conversion (68.72%) and glycerol carbonate yield (44.90%) at 250 °C, using 50 mg catalyst and 10 bar pressure. The model accuracy was validated by ANOVA (R2 > 0.99; p values < 0.0001). The results indicated that doping significantly enhanced the catalytic performance, most likely due to improved electron charge transfer and structural distortions within the g-C3N4 framework. Such a process highlights the potential of co-doped g-C3N4 catalysts for the sustainable glycerol utilization and valorization of CO2 through a scalable pathway toward green chemical synthesis—an approach that comes in line with worldwide decarbonization goals.
Bioactive glass is currently considered a material with a high biocompatibility and has been used both in the field of bone regeneration and in the preparation of cosmetic products with the controlled release of active compounds. The present work involved a study on the synthesis of bioglass using the sol–gel process. The study aims to evaluate the influence of the treatment of bioglass with Polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG 4000) on its main characteristics. The surface characteristics of this material were obtained by nitrogen adsorption/desorption analysis, using the standard BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) equation, the crystallinity by XRD (X-ray diffraction) analysis, the surface structure by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), thermal stability by TGA (ThermoGravimetric Analyses), and chemical bonds changes by FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) spectroscopy. After treatment with PEG 4000, the average diameter of the pores increased insignificantly, the crystallinity peak disappeared, and the SEM analysis highlighted several clusters of very small sizes.
New cosmeceuticals formulas (direct emulsion, inverse emulsion and hydrogel), that synergistically combine bioglass with retinol, were prepared and characterized in order to attenuate the irritant potential of retinoids and prolong their therapeutic efficacy. The study evaluates the physicochemical, microbiological and stability characteristics of these formulations. Thus, TGA and DSC analyses revealed stronger interactions between water molecules and those of other organic compounds, with much more being observed in the case of emulsions than in the case of hydrogel, materialized by the delay in water evaporation. The stability of the three types of formulations has been evaluated in two ways: by determining the backscattering variation with the height of the container and analyzing the sample for 6 h and by counting the fraction of small droplets. Both methods demonstrated high stability in the three types of formulations.