Indoor air pollution (IAP) is a serious threat to human health, causing millions of deaths each year. A plethora of pollutants can result in IAP; therefore, it is very important to identify their main sources and concentrations and to devise strategies for the control and enhancement of indoor air quality (IAQ). Herein, we provide a critical review and evaluation of the major sources of major pollutant emissions, their health effects, and issues related to IAP-based illnesses, including sick building syndrome (SBS) and building-related illness (BRI). In addition, the strategies and approaches for control and reduction of pollutant concentrations are pointed out, and the recent trends in efforts to resolve and improve IAQ, with their respective advantages and potentials, are summarized. It is predicted that the development of novel materials for sensors, IAQ-monitoring systems, and smart homes is a promising strategy for control and enhancement of IAQ in the future.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has been demonstrated to cause skin disorders, including sunburn and relative symptoms of prolonged exposure. It has been reported that sunscreens have beneficial effects in reducing the incidence of skin disorders (sunburn, skin aging, and immunosuppression) through their ability to absorb, reflect, and scatter UV. Many commercial products have recently been manufactured from not only usual organic and inorganic UV filters, but also hybrid and botanical ingredients using typical formulations (emulsion, gel, aerosol, and stick). Particularly, these products have been supplemented with several preeminent properties to protect against the negative effects of not only UVB, but also UVA. However, the use of sunscreen has faced many challenges, including inducing photoallergic dermatitis, environment pollution, and deficiency of vitamin D production. Therefore, consumers should efficiently apply suitable products to improve sun protection. as well as to avoid the side effects of sunscreen.
Flexible sensing devices have attracted significant attention for various applications, such as medical devices, environmental monitoring, and healthcare. Numerous materials have been used to fabricate flexible sensing devices and improve their sensing performance in terms of their electrical and mechanical properties. Among the studied materials, conductive polymers are promising candidates for next-generation flexible, stretchable, and wearable electronic devices because of their outstanding characteristics, such as flexibility, light weight, and non-toxicity. Understanding the interesting properties of conductive polymers and the solution-based deposition processes and patterning technologies used for conductive polymer device fabrication is necessary to develop appropriate and highly effective flexible sensors. The present review provides scientific evidence for promising strategies for fabricating conductive polymer-based flexible sensors. Specifically, the outstanding nature of the structures, conductivity, and synthesis methods of some of the main conductive polymers are discussed. Furthermore, conventional and innovative technologies for preparing conductive polymer thin films in flexible sensors are identified and evaluated, as are the potential applications of these sensors in environmental and human health monitoring.
Photocatalysts provide a sustainable method of treating organic pollutants in wastewater and converting greenhouse gases. Many studies have been published on this topic in recent years, which signifies the great interest and attention that this topic inspires in the community, as well as in scientists. Composite photocatalysts based on conducting polymers and metal oxides have emerged as novel and promising photoactive materials. It has been demonstrated that conducting polymers can substantially improve the photocatalytic efficiency of metal oxides owing to their superior photocatalytic activities, high conductivities, and unique electrochemical and optical properties. Consequently, conducting polymer/metal oxide composites exhibit a high photoresponse and possess a higher surface area allowing for visible light absorption, low recombination of charge carriers, and high photocatalytic performance. Herein, we provide an overview of recent advances in the development of conducting polymer/metal oxide composite photocatalysts for organic pollutant degradation and CO2 conversion through photocatalytic processes.
1 May 2021 in Environmental Technology & Innovation