A simple electrochemical sensor based on electrochemically synthesized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was constructed by an ink with the nanoparticles, isopropanol, NAFION and carbon Vulcan to detect dopamine, uric acid and ascorbic acid. The electrocatalytic activity of the nanoparticles for the oxidation of the analyte molecules was examined by means of cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry. The parameters controlling the performance of the sensor were optimized, such as the amount of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10 mg), amount of binder (5, 10, 15 µL) and carbon Vulcan in the ink (4, 6, 8 mg). The temperature was maintained at 25 °C and the pH was 7.5 with buffer phosphate. The optimal sensor conditions were 8 mg magnetite, 4 mg carbon Vulcan and 5 µL of NAFION@ 117. The calibration curves for the three analytes were determined separately, obtaining linear ranges of 10–100, 20–160 and 1050–2300 µM and limits of detection of 4.5, 14 and 95 µM for dopamine, uric acid and ascorbic acid, respectively. This electrochemical sensor has also shown significant sensitivity and selectivity without interference from the three analyte molecules presented simultaneously in solution. This sensor was applied for the detection of these molecules in real samples.

The morphological evolution of columnar gold electrodeposits grown at 100 nm ${\mathrm{s}}^{\mathrm{-}1}$ by electroreducing a gold oxide layer on a gold cathode has been studied at a nanometer level by scanning tunneling microscopy. The interface thickness (ξ) depends on the scan length (L) as ξ∝${\mathit{L}}^{\mathrm{\alpha }}$ with α=0.49±0.07 for L>${\mathit{d}}_{\mathit{s}}$, where ${\mathit{d}}_{\mathit{s}}$ is the average top columnar size, and α=0.90±0.07 for L${\mathit{d}}_{\mathit{s}}$. These results prove that the growing surface can be described as a self-affine fractal for length scales greater than the columnar size. Conversely, the columnar surface approaches the behavior of an Euclidean surface.

Magnetite nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄) of 12 ± 4 nm diameter are electrochemically synthesized for the adsorption and magnetic harvesting of Cr(VI) from contaminated simulated solutions. The removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous media follows pseudo-second-order kinetics. The adsorption efficiency is evaluated in three different scenarios. In standard conditions, i.e., at room temperature; in a thermal bath working at 60 °C, where the temperature could be considered homogeneous within the solution; and finally, under magnetic induction heating, while adjusting the frequency and magnetic field used to attain the same temperature as in the bath experiments. Two benefits of using a magnetic inductor are demonstrated. First, the removal efficiency is almost doubled in comparison to that of the room temperature experiments, and it is higher by 30% compared to that of the bath setup. At the same time as the adsorption occurs, a redox reaction occurs on the surface of the nanoparticles, and Cr(VI), the predominant species in the contaminated solution, is significantly reduced to Cr(III). Through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, it is shown that a greater reduction effect is achieved when working in induction conditions than at room temperature. This is the first time that this synergistic effect using magnetic induction heating has been demonstrated for heavy metal decontamination of wastewater.

Microplastics (MPs) are currently a serious environmental problem, primarily due to their persistence in the environment, low concentration, and difficulty in detection and disposal. MPs have also been detected in humans and have been shown to be harmful. Although there are methodologies for their recovery or elimination in most water treatment plants, a significant portion still bypasses these elimination systems. It is this percentage that we must try to eliminate. In addition to finding new methodologies for the treatment of MPs, it is important to find new materials adapted to this process. In this context, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are high-versatility compounds that can be synthesized using different techniques to obtain materials with different properties, such as porosity, morphology, conductivity, etc. These materials can adsorb MPs in different ways, such as electrostatic interaction, bond formation, etc., or they can be obtained by containing metals that catalyze reactions for the formation of highly reactive species that can oxidize the MPs. This review examines how MOF materials have gained attention for the adsorption-based recovery and removal of MPs and discusses the problems associated with these materials and possible solutions.