This study reports on converting waste into an activated carbon material for the efficient removal of diazinon pesticide (DP). The asphalt waste obtained from the streets was converted into an activated carbon and was experimentally examined in a batch system. The prepared carbon adsorbents were characterized by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis. The results revealed that the activated carbon (AC) had an amorphous structure, high porosity, and a relatively high surface area of 788.33 m² g⁻¹. Additionally, functional groups such as –CH₂– and SO were detected for the prepared adsorbent. The impact of DP sorption parameters, such as, sorbent dosage, initial concentration, and pH were modelled and optimized using central composite design (CCD) via response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal conditions obtained from the CCD were found to be 5.6, 30 mg, and 200 mg L⁻¹ for pH, sorbent dosage, and initial pesticide concentration, respectively, with adsorption capacity of 234.25 mg g⁻¹. The experimental data was fitted to the linear form of pseudo first (PFO) and second order (PSO) kinetic models and the data was well described by PSO kinetic models. Based on the thermodynamic parameters, the negative values of Gibbs free energy underscore the spontaneity of the adsorption process. Enthalpy change of 1.9037 kJ mol⁻¹ indicated the endothermic nature, while entropy change of 0.01751 kJ mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ indicated increased disorderliness at the adsorbent–solution interface. The study contributes to sustainable, economical solutions for pesticide contamination, emphasizing the potential of ACs derived from abundant waste materials.

Background: The removal of textile wastes is a priority due to their mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. In this study, bismuth oxyhalide was used in the removal of methylene blue (MB) which is a textile waste. The main objective of this study was to develop and investigate the applicability of a bismuth oxyhalide (BiOBrzI(1-z)) solid solutions in the photodegradation of MB under solar and ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation. Methods: Bismuth oxyhalide (BiOBrzI(1-z)) (0 ≤ z ≤ 1) materials were successfully prepared through the hydrothermal method. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to determine the surface area, microstructure, crystal structure, and morphology of the resultant products. The photocatalytic performance of BiOBrzI(1-z) materials was examined through methylene blue (MB) degradation under UV light and solar irradiation. Results: The XRD showed that BiOBrzI(1-z) materials crystallized into a tetragonal crystal structure with (102) peak slightly shifting to lower diffraction angle with an increase in the amount of iodide (I-). BiOBr0.6I0.4 materials showed a point of zero charge of 5.29 and presented the highest photocatalytic activity in the removal of MB with 99% and 88% efficiency under solar and UV irradiation, respectively. The kinetics studies of MB removal by BiOBrzI(1-z) materials showed that the degradation process followed nonlinear pseudo-first-order model indicating that the removal of MB depends on the population of the adsorption sites. Trapping experiments confirmed that photogenerated holes (h+) and superoxide radicals (•O2 −) are the key species responsible for the degradation of MB. Conclusions : This study shows that bismuth oxyhalide materials are very active in the degradation of methylene blue dye using sunlight and thus they have great potential in safeguarding public health and the environment from the dye’s degradation standpoint. Moreover, the experimental results agree with nonlinear fitting.

Microplastics have emerged as pervasive contaminants in various ecosystems, raising considerable concerns regarding their impact on environmental health and public safety. The degradation of microplastics is thus recognized as a pressing global challenge. Photocatalytic degradation has emerged as a promising approach due to its potential for efficiency and environmental sustainability. Nevertheless, there remains a need to investigate emerging trends and advancements to understand and fully optimize this technique. Consequently, PRISMA guidelines were employed to define the search parameters, enable the identification of pertinent scholarly articles, and systematically gather bibliographic data from the published literature from 2005 to October 2024. A bibliometric analysis of 204 research articles derived from merged Scopus and Web of Science datasets was conducted to map the field’s research landscape. The analysis showed a robust annual publication growth rate of 17.94%, with leading contributions from China, India, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. Keyword analysis revealed that the commonly applied photocatalysts are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide in the photocatalytic degradation of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, high-density polyethylene, and low-density polyethylene. Advances in collaboration across Asia and Europe have bolstered the research landscape. However, challenges persist in achieving cost-effective scalability, ensuring the safety of degradation byproducts, and translating laboratory findings into real-world applications. Emerging trends include the development of visible-light-responsive catalysts, advanced nanocomposites, and sustainable photocatalytic technologies. This study underscores the utility of bibliometric tools in identifying knowledge gaps and guiding the development of innovative approaches for microplastic degradation as part of environmental remediation efforts.

Background: The removal of textile wastes is a priority due to their mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. In this study, bismuth oxyhalide was used in the removal of methylene blue (MB) which is a textile waste. The main objective of this study was to develop and investigate the applicability of a bismuth oxyhalide (BiOBrzI(1-z)) solid solutions in the photodegradation of MB under solar and ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation. Methods: Bismuth oxyhalide (BiOBrzI(1-z)) (0 ≤ z ≤ 1) materials were successfully prepared through the hydrothermal method. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to determine the surface area, microstructure, crystal structure, and morphology of the resultant products. The photocatalytic performance of BiOBrzI(1-z) materials was examined through methylene blue (MB) degradation under UV light and solar irradiation. Results: The XRD showed that BiOBrzI(1-z) materials crystallized into a tetragonal crystal structure with (102) peak slightly shifting to lower diffraction angle with an increase in the amount of iodide (I-). BiOBr0.6I0.4 materials showed a point of zero charge of 5.29 and presented the highest photocatalytic activity in the removal of MB with 99% and 88% efficiency under solar and UV irradiation, respectively. The kinetics studies of MB removal by BiOBrzI(1-z) materials showed that the degradation process followed nonlinear pseudo-first-order model indicating that the removal of MB depends on the population of the adsorption sites. Trapping experiments confirmed that photogenerated holes (h+) and superoxide radicals (•O2 −) are the key species responsible for the degradation of MB. Conclusions : This study shows that bismuth oxyhalide materials are very active in the degradation of methylene blue dye using sunlight and thus they have great potential in safeguarding public health and the environment from the dye’s degradation standpoint. Moreover, the experimental results agree with nonlinear fitting.